Scientists probe Brain's 'Priority Maps' to unlock secrets of visual attention
NCT ID NCT06852521
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study investigates how the brain determines what's important to look at, balancing things that stand out (like bright colors) with things we know are relevant. Researchers will have 240 healthy adults perform visual tasks while measuring their response times and eye movements. The goal is to understand how the brain computes priority maps for visual attention, which could eventually help diagnose or treat disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could help understand how visual attention works, potentially informing future diagnosis or treatment for conditions like schizophrenia or Alzheimer's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a basic science pilot study with no direct treatment or health outcome. It only measures response times and gaze in healthy volunteers, so it may not translate to clinical applications.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 240 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 55 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * between 18 and 55 years of age * normal or corrected-to-normal vision Exclusion Criteria: • N/A
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, 93117, United States
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