Jacob Liu L&S Biological Sciences
Modeling Monocular Spatial Attention in Mice
In primates, spatial attention is a crucial higher-level visual process that constructs the immersiveness of our everyday experience. By better understanding the basis of attention neural networks, it paves the way for better treatments for ADHD and other attention-based disorders. However, studying the neural mechanisms behind spatial attention has traditionally been challenging due to the ethical implications of using primates as research models.
Recently, mice have been highlighted as promising alternatives for modeling spatial attention. This finding inspires my project to investigate monocular spatial attention in mice and test how their attentional shifts can match those of primates in visual tasks. Specifically, I will test specific neural pathways in the mice and evaluate their impact on spatial attention through a technique called optogenetics, which can activate and inhibit certain neuronal circuits. By better understanding the parallels between mice’s spatial attention and that of primates, this work lays the groundwork to help us better understand and address attention-related disorders to develop novel therapeutic interventions.
Message To Sponsor
I want to sincerely thank you for supporting my research on spatial attention in mice. Your support allowed me to explore how attention works in the brain through tools like optogenetics, with the goal of contributing to our understanding of attention-related disorders. I've always been passionate about integrating learning into application, and your generosity has empowered me to pursue meaningful, curiosity-driven neuroscience research, which I’m incredibly grateful for.