# Directly measuring synaptic and population coupling in cortex during perception

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $399,095

## Abstract

Directly measuring synaptic and population coupling in cortex during perception
The cerebral cortex is the defining brain structure of mammals and underlies our most complex sensory
behaviors. A major need exists to identify how synaptic and network mechanisms in cortex lead to normal and
impaired sensory perception and behavior. A prevailing model of cortical function postulates that synaptic
excitation (E) and inhibition (I) exhibit a stable balance (E/I balance) that is disrupted during sensory impairments
and neurodevelopmental diseases. Currently, there is no knowledge regarding synaptic E/I balance during
sensory perception, nor its relationship to large-scale neural network activity. We are uniquely positioned to
bridge this critical knowledge gap with an innovative combination of whole-cell patch-clamp and large-scale
population recordings of defined excitatory and inhibitory neurons during visual perception in mice. This multi-
scale approach will enable us to 1) Define how excitatory and inhibitory neuron populations spanning cortical
layers predict the accuracy of visual perception 2) Reveal synaptic mechanisms that underlie visual perception
3) Define the relationship between excitatory and inhibitory population activity and synaptic mechanisms
engaged by visual perception.
SIGNIFICANCE. This project will meet a significant need to understand how excitatory and inhibitory activity in
cortex is coordinated at the synaptic, network, and behavioral levels to support sensory perception. It is
imperative to understand these processes in individual neurons, networks, and their synaptic inputs during
behavior, so that we may better comprehend how to rectify sensory processing deficits characteristic of many
neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.
INNOVATION. This project will provide innovative measurements and analysis of the relationship between
single-neuron synaptic inputs and large-scale neural network activity during controlled perceptual behaviors.
This combination of techniques will allow critical assessment of long-standing theories of cortical function (E/I
balance) that require validation in relevant behavioral contexts. These results will provide conceptual innovation
by detailing how inhibition sculpts and coordinates excitatory activity in cortex to orchestrate perceptual
behaviors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9893928
- **Project number:** 5R01NS107968-03
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Bilal Haider
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $399,095
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9893928

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9893928, Directly measuring synaptic and population coupling in cortex during perception (5R01NS107968-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9893928. Licensed CC0.

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