Friday, October 31, 2025 10/31/2025

Cortical circuit mechanisms of visual shape processing

Award Number: R01EY032190
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2025

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Cortical circuit mechanisms of visual shape processing - PROJECT SUMMARY Humans and other primates rely on using visual shape information to identify and interact with objects in the world. The goal of this project is to gain mechanistic insights into how the primate cerebral cortex processes visual shape information. Cortical area V4 is an ideal locus for these mechanistic studies because many V4 neurons are tuned for visual shape, showing preferences for convex or concave segments along an object's bounding contour. This tuning for visual shape is presumed to be a foundation for behaviorally relevant object representations, but we know little about its mechanistic implementation. Chiefly, we do not know which cortical pathways and cell types are responsible for generating this tuning in V4 neurons. In this project, we will begin to fill these knowledge gaps by employing viral vector-mediated, cell type-specific optogenetics in monkeys. In Aim 1, we will ask: How does visual shape processing in V4 depend on feedforward excitatory signals from earlier cortical areas V1 and V2? The experiments related to this aim will test the hypothesis that feedforward excitation from area V2 is the dominant factor in dictating the shape tuning of V4 neurons. In Aim 2, we will ask: How does visual shape processing in V4 depend on local inhibitory signals within this area? The experiments related to this aim will test the hypothesis that inhibitory neurons are tuned for shape, and that local inhibition sharpens the tuning of excitatory neurons. Accomplishing these aims will provide critical first insights into the role of feedforward excitation and local inhibition in visual shape processing. A deeper understanding of these cortical circuit mechanisms in primates has the potential to transform the way in which we treat disorders of form vision such as visual agnosia. Advancing optogenetic techniques for neural circuit dissection in monkeys will also facilitate the investigation of other complex brain functions that are specific to primates: an imperative for advancing basic science and human medicine.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $427,015 )
2025	2025	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	5	11/15/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$427,015
														Subtotal = $427,015

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $427,015 )
2024	2024	THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	4	12/8/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$427,015
														Subtotal = $427,015

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $452,689 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	3	12/1/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$407,421
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	001	3	3/6/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$45,268
														Subtotal = $452,689

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $439,108 )
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	2	12/3/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$407,420
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	001	2	5/4/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$31,688
														Subtotal = $439,108

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $468,829 )
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE	630 W 168TH ST FL 4	NEW YORK	NY	10032	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	1	12/10/2020	NEW	$468,829
														Subtotal = $468,829

Grand Total All Awards = $2,214,656

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Cortical circuit mechanisms of visual shape processing

Award Number: R01EY032190

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2025

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