# The distributed basis of visual cortical variability

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $48,974

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Understanding sensory processing in the brain has been difficult due to the complex and variable nature of
neuronal activity. The primary goal of this training proposal is to determine how visual encoding is modulated
by fluctuating brain-wide activity. The primary visual cortex (V1) is thought of as the key locus of visual
processing. Recent evidence suggests that visual information exists even outside of the traditional visual
pathway. Additionally, sensory encoding in V1 is modulated by externally measured behavioral state and
locomotion. It remains unclear how these variables are reflected in neuronal computations and to what degree
they modulate visual processing and behavior. We hypothesize that trial-to-trial variability in V1 reflects the
fluctuating activity of a distributed network of brain regions.
In Aim 1, I will use Neuropixels 2.0 recordings to map diverse brain areas and assess their relationships with
fluctuating sensory encoding in V1. Aim 2 will determine the fundamental underlying noise level of neurons in
V1, providing a key metric for understanding the fidelity of visual encoding and for models used to analyze
neural data. Together, these aims will advance our understanding of the nature of visual cortical encoding and
the distributed network of brain regions that support visual processing and behavior. These results will improve
our ability to create more effective brain-computer interface therapeutics, which currently rely on an incomplete
understanding of information coding in the brain.
During my tailored training period, I will learn Neuropixels electrophysiology, advanced computational analysis
techniques, and whole-brain histological processing and imaging under the guidance of experts in a supportive
training environment. These skills will prepare me for an independent career as a neuroscientist working to
advance the understanding of brain function and behavior.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10820351
- **Project number:** 1F31EY035880-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna Li
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,974
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-16 → 2027-06-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10820351

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10820351, The distributed basis of visual cortical variability (1F31EY035880-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10820351. Licensed CC0.

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