# Identification of retinogeniculate circuits in ventral thalamus

> **NIH NIH F99** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2020 · $36,349

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Our relationship with the visual world is heavily dependent on our ability to receive and process light coming into
the eye. A portion of that light-derived information is needed for many non-image-forming visual functions like
programming our biological clocks, controlling eye movement, and influencing mood. A major region of the brain
which receives this non-image-forming visual information is located in the ventral thalamus and known as the
ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN). Although the vLGN has connections with downstream regions involved
in important functions, including visuomotor function, circadian photoentrainment, and vestibular function, it has
not been well-studied. One reason for this significant gap in knowledge is that very little is known about funda-
mental characteristics of vLGN, particularly with respect to its cellular and molecular landscape, thus making it
technically challenging to develop tools to answer outstanding questions about its role in visual information pro-
cessing. This study is motivated by the need to characterize the molecular architecture of vLGN, and to identify
the neurons which form connections with retinal fibers. This project directly aligns with the BRAIN Initiative and
the NIH's Blueprint Program by expanding fundamental understanding of neuroscience using innovative re-
search methods to characterize cell types in the nervous system and mapping connected neurons in the brain.
The results of this work will significantly impact the field and generate a deeper understanding of a visual region
of the brain which receives, processes, and transmits non-image-forming visual information.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987314
- **Project number:** 5F99NS113459-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Ubadah Sabbagh
- **Activity code:** F99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $36,349
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-15 → 2021-05-09

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987314

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987314, Identification of retinogeniculate circuits in ventral thalamus (5F99NS113459-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987314. Licensed CC0.

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