# Cortical basis of binocular depth perception

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE · 2024 · $320,071

## Abstract

Abstract
The functional properties of the visual system are most sensitive to disruptions of normal vision during
developmental ‘critical periods’. Interestingly, the critical periods for several functional properties, such as ocular
dominance and acuity, overlap during development. Abnormal vision during these overlapping critical periods,
because of cataracts or misalignment of the two eyes for example, is the cause of amblyopia. Amblyopia is a
prevalent visual disorder in children and can present with any of several visual problems including lower visual
acuity and impaired depth perception. Yet, how depth perception is affected by abnormal vision has remained
elusive. In the proposed research, we investigate the circuit basis for the development and plasticity of depth
perception in the mouse. The development of stereoscopic vision is much slower than other characteristics of
vision and relies on complex properties of binocular disparity. Disparity between the eyes is what produces the
perception of depth. We will characterize multiple dimensions of its development and plasticity by taking
advantage of a natural depth discrimination task that depends on binocular vision. Over this same period, we
will measure with two-photon microscopy how complex disparity properties are refined in the visual cortex and
area LM (a secondary binocular visual area), as well as how and when they are sensitive to abnormal vision.
Understanding the properties of binocular depth perception and the development of those properties will provide
a foundation for developing therapeutic approaches to treat developmental visual disorders such as amblyopia
that cause stereovision deficits.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10866546
- **Project number:** 5R01EY034092-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** Aaron W McGee
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $320,071
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2024-07-22

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10866546

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10866546, Cortical basis of binocular depth perception (5R01EY034092-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10866546. Licensed CC0.

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