# Wireless optical imaging, optogenetic stimulation and neurophysiological recording to study to neural foundations of natural freely moving behaviors in primates.

> **NIH NIH R21** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $251,250

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Decades of studies in animals have been conducted in conditions of strict experimental control of perception
and behavior in order to understand the functions of the brain. For instance, in the study of visual perception
visual paradigms often involve unnaturally long eye fixation periods and attention to locations away from the
center of gaze (covert attention). These animal paradigms require long training periods (months to a year).
While such studies have advanced our knowledge of brain function tremendously, a recurring question is how
relevant the gathered data are to natural behavior. Today, the availability of cutting-edge technologies and
computational power can free us from these limitations of the classical experimental paradigms and usher in a
new generation of neuroscience questions focused on how the functioning of the brain in real world settings.
The goal of this project is to develop a small wireless multimodal device for stimulating and recording domain-
based cortical activity in freely moving primates. We will study the function of primary visual cortical areas with
intrinsic optical imaging and optogenetic stimulation using a multimodal device that consists of a wireless
camera and a wireless multisite LED stimulator. To evaluate the functionality of this approach, animals will
perform visual detection and discrimination tasks. The end goal is the production of a multimodal device,
constructed from off the shelf components, that provides unrestrained, multiareal and targeted (to specified
cortical domains) stimulation and recording capabilities. The successful outcome of this project will contribute
to our understanding of cortical encoding of perception and behavior and will have clinical relevance for the
development of brain-machine interfaces.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10056623
- **Project number:** 1R21EY031073-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert Mark Friedman
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $251,250
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10056623

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10056623, Wireless optical imaging, optogenetic stimulation and neurophysiological recording to study to neural foundations of natural freely moving behaviors in primates. (1R21EY031073-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10056623. Licensed CC0.

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