# Noradrenergic modulation of sensory perception

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE · 2020 · $331,987

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Identical sensory stimuli can be perceived or neglected, depending on the level of task engagement or
brain states. What are the underlying neural processes that influence our awareness of the presence or absence
of the same stimulus? The ascending neuromodulator norepinephrine (NE), arising mainly from a small
brainstem nucleus locus coeruleus (LC), has been proposed to have a critical role in regulating multiple aspects
of cognitive behavior, including perception, attention and decision-making. In this proposal, we hypothesize that
the two distinct modes of LC activity (tonic vs. phasic) differentially modulate sensory perception. By combining
multi-channel extracellular recording and optogenetic perturbation of LC activity, patch-clamp recording in the
downstream brain region, and well-controlled behavior, we will assess how different patterns of LC activity
modulate sensory processing and perceptual decisions. Capitalizing on a sensory detection task in mice, we will
determine: 1) How does LC-NE activity influence perceptual behavior performance? 2) How are LC tonic and
phasic activity related? 3) How does LC-NE activity modulate cortical sensory processing? The proposed
research is innovative, in our opinion, because it allows us to record and perturb NE-releasing neurons in the LC
simultaneously with monitoring the activity of their downstream neurons in the cortex during quantitative
perceptual behavior. Combining dual-electrophysiological recordings in the LC and its downstream brain area,
precise optogenetic manipulation, and well-controlled behavior, we expect to offer novel approaches to acquiring
fundamental knowledge of LC-NE functions. The new techniques can be readily adapted to other brain circuits
and their downstream targets, and thus are expected to contribute to a broader understanding of
neuromodulation and brain functions. The knowledge gained is expected to provide mechanistic insights into
neuromodulation of perceptual behavior and cognitive dysfunctions, potentially facilitating the development of
new treatments for attention- and anxiety-related disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9927695
- **Project number:** 5R01NS112200-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
- **Principal Investigator:** Hongdian Yang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $331,987
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-15 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9927695

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9927695, Noradrenergic modulation of sensory perception (5R01NS112200-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9927695. Licensed CC0.

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