# Shared Subcortical Arousal Systems Across Perceptual Modalities

> **NIH NIH R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $643,043

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Different sensory modalities elicit distinct neural signatures in the brain, however, a fundamental subset of
circuits for perception is shared across modalities. Subcortical arousal systems are known to influence long-
lasting states such as sleep/wake and levels of vigilance, but their role in dynamic short-term modulation of
arousal shared across perceptual modalities has been little studied. Subcortical systems are increasingly
recognized as playing an important role in cognition. Recent work suggests that multiple parallel arousal
systems in the thalamus, upper brainstem and basal forebrain contribute to phasic modulation of perception
through a transient increase in activity following sensory stimuli. Therefore, our central hypothesis is that a
transient pulse of activity in the intralaminar thalamus, upper brainstem and basal forebrain occurs after
sensory stimuli across diverse modalities, augmenting perceptual awareness. If confirmed, this may identify
both fundamental circuits for normal perception and potential therapeutic targets for disorders where
perception is impaired. We will investigate shared subcortical arousal circuits in perception using techniques
with complementary strengths based on promising initial studies. We found that large fMRI data sets showed
shared transient activation in thalamus, midbrain and basal forebrain with visual, tactile and gustatory tasks. To
investigate this further, our first aim will contrast perceived vs not perceived visual, auditory and tactile stimuli
to study shared fMRI signals in subcortical arousal areas with both whole brain and high-resolution subcortical
methods. In our second aim, we will leverage recent findings that pupil, blink and microsaccade measurements
combined with machine learning can isolate the components of subcortical perception-related fMRI signals
which are independent of task report. These methods will be used to identify shared fMRI signals in subcortical
arousal systems with visual, auditory and tactile perception independent of report. Finally, direct access to the
human intralaminar thalamus through devices implanted in epilepsy patients, provides a unique opportunity for
both thalamic recording and stimulation. In our third aim, we will use this approach to record and stimulate the
intralaminar thalamus to determine the role of this key subcortical arousal area in perception. Understanding
the role of transient increases in subcortical arousal shared across perceptual modalities will both shed light on
fundamental mechanisms of perception, and provide new treatment avenues for perceptual disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10979822
- **Project number:** 1R01NS134655-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** HAL BLUMENFELD
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $643,043
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10979822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10979822, Shared Subcortical Arousal Systems Across Perceptual Modalities (1R01NS134655-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10979822. Licensed CC0.

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