Duke University
Grant: $126,958 - National Institutes of Health - Sep. 30, 2009
No votes have been cast for this award yet
Join the conversation: Post a comment about this award
Award Description: Impairments in visual-auditory integration impact numerous aspects of human health, ranging from communication and language to attention and movements in a complicated environment. Previously, such deficits were believed to involve higher brain structures, where multisensory integration was thought to occur. Potentially contradicting this view, we recently discovered visual signals in an early, supposedly auditory, brain region, the inferior colliculus. The goal of parent grant is to (1) characterize the visual response properties (Aim 1), (2) determine the frame of reference of these visual responses (Aim 2), and determine how IC neurons respond to combined visual and auditory stimuli, especially when a spatial disparity between these stimuli produces a ventriloquism effect/aftereffect (Aim 3). We seek additional funds to accelerate the pace of data collection and analysis, especially for aim 1, which involves mapping the locations of visually responsive neurons in the IC. Currently, we are conducting this experiment by recording the activity of neurons at successive sites sequentially along a penetration. We request funds to purchase a system to allow us to record from multiple sites simultaneously. This system has several compelling advantages. First, it will allow us to sample the IC more finely, and reconstruct the locations of recorded neurons with far greater accuracy. Thus, the quality of the data to be obtained will be higher. Second, it will allow us to collect data with much greater speed. Thus, the pace of the research will be accelerated. Together, these additions will significantly enhance the rate of discovery for this project, as well as fulfill the ARRA mandate.
Project Description: See Award Description
Jobs Summary: N/A (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Not Started
This award's data was last updated on Sep. 30, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
No comments have been added for this project.