# Neuromodulation in visual cortex

> **NIH NIH R21** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2024 · $205,625

## Abstract

Summary/Abstract
Ascending acetylcholinergic and noradrenergic neuromodulatory systems are thought to alter information
processing in cerebral cortex with spatial and temporal precision (Obermayer et al., 2017). Yet we lack basic
information about how these systems affect neural responses underlying perception and decision-making in
sensory cortex of awake, behaving subjects. The overarching goal of this project is to investigate how cholinergic
and noradrenergic inputs to visual cortex are activated during a visual detection task. Genetically coded
neurotransmitter reporters (GRAB-Ach, GRAB-NE) are novel tools that can measure local neurotransmitter
concentrations in cortex with sub-second resolution. These newly developed genetically coded neurotransmitter
reporters offer an unprecedented window into real-time changes in local neurotransmitter concentration during
perceptual decision-making. Aim 1 will define the relationship of ACh and NE neurotransmitter concentrations
in primary visual cortex to behavioral decision variables. Aim 2 will define the relationship of ACh and NE
neurotransmitter concentrations in primary visual cortex to the fidelity of the neural representation. This work
will provide preliminary data for larger scale studies that examine the effect on neurotransmitter concentrations
of manipulating cognitive variables such as attention, decision-making, and working memory. These initial
experiments will set the stage for future studies that manipulate neurotransmitter concentrations with systemic
or intracranial drug injections to test causal relationships between neurotransmitters and behavioral
performance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10834248
- **Project number:** 5R21EY035068-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEX DRANOVSKY
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $205,625
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10834248

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10834248, Neuromodulation in visual cortex (5R21EY035068-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10834248. Licensed CC0.

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