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Investigating the distribution and timing of pre-saccadic modulation across cortical layers in MT and the influence of FEF signals

Award Number: F31EY035866
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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Investigating the distribution and timing of pre-saccadic modulation across cortical layers in MT and the influence of FEF signals - PROJECT SUMMARY: Attention leads eye movements producing perceptual enhancements at the saccade targets immediately prior to saccades1-3. Pre-saccadic attention has been related to enhanced neural responses before saccades made into a neuron’s receptive field, but much remains unknown about the underlying neural pathway. It is known that stimulation to one prefrontal saccadic control center, FEF, leads to pre-saccadic enhancements in extra- striate cortex4 Here we’re specifically interested in the laminar distributions and timing of pre-saccadic enhancements in visual cortex and how FEF cortical feedback projections influence these factors. We hypothesize that if direct FEF feedback drives pre-saccadic attention that it will exert stronger and earlier latency modulation of neural responses in superficial and deep layers of visual cortex. To test this hypothesis, we will record from marmoset area MT/MTC, an early visual area with strong selectivity for stimulus motion. We will record from neural populations with laminar recording arrays. Preliminary data support that we are able to distinguish between cortical layers and make rudimentary cell class distinctions of narrow and broad spiking cells using linear arrays. Based on the distribution of FEF feedback to MT/MTC, we expect to see higher and earlier modulation due to saccade planning in the superficial and deep layers as opposed to input layers. Furthermore, I propose to investigate FEF’s role in pre-saccadic enhancements seen in MT/MTC with optogenetic manipulation (AAV-DLX-ChR2 virus) to reversibly inactivate FEF within brief temporal epochs (25 ms pulses) preceding saccades. We expect to see changes to eye movements, including impairment of post-saccadic smooth eye movements that predictively follow target motion due to pre-saccadic selection. More so, we expect to see decreased pre-saccadic enhancements in MT/MTC when optogenetic light stimulation occurs in the 100ms preceding the saccade coincident with the period of motor build-up activity in FEF. These experiments will shed light on the micro- (cell class distribution and laminar distinctions) and macro- (FEF feedback) level of the circuitry controlling pre-saccadic enhancements in visual cortex. The training during this project will focus on increasing proficiency in computational analysis as well as improving experimental techniques and professional development for a career as a future independent investigator, under the guidance of Jude Mitchell, a leading researcher on visual perception and attention, and Dr. Kuan Wang, an expert in cortical circuits involved in the cognitive and affective control of behaviors.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$49,538 )
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Vision Research	000	2	12/19/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$49,538
														Subtotal = -$49,538

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $49,538 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Vision Research	000	2	9/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$49,538
														Subtotal = $49,538

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $48,974 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Vision Research	000	1	8/29/2024	NEW	$48,974
														Subtotal = $48,974

Grand Total All Awards = $48,974

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Investigating the distribution and timing of pre-saccadic modulation across cortical layers in MT and the influence of FEF signals

Award Number: F31EY035866

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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