University of Louisville · BiologyBickford Vision Lab
Martha E Bickford · Louisville, Kentucky
Research Focus
Dr. Martha E. Bickford's lab investigates how a specific brain area called the pretectum influences visual processing and behaviors in mammals. They aim to understand the connections and interactions between the pretectum and thalamic neurons involved in integrating vision and movement. The research may provide insights into treating visual motion disorders and enhance techniques for diagnosing conditions such as dyslexia and schizophrenia.
visual processingpretectumthalamic neuronsactive visionneural circuits
Research Aims
4AIM 01Characterize the circuits and properties of pretectum neurons that influence visual and motor responses.
AIM 02Determine how pretectum input affects the response properties of thalamic neurons.
AIM 03Investigate the role of pretectum neurons in visual behavior, such as depth perception and eye movements.
AIM 04Use advanced techniques to study the connections between pretectum and thalamic regions in awake animals.
Skills the Lab Values
optogeneticselectrophysiologyrabies tracingelectron microscopyin vivo imagingsynaptic analysisanimal behavior assayschemogeneticscalcium imagingneuroanatomy
Output against the department
Publications94bottom 32% of dept.695th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.7kbottom 28% of dept.742nd of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.