How chronic stress affects vocal learning in birds and humans
Official title: Neurogenetic mechanisms underlying effects of chronic stress on vocal learning in adults and juveniles
Funded at New Mexico State University Las Cruces · NIH-10527057 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how long-term stress affects the ability of budgerigars to learn new sounds, which could help us understand similar challenges in people, and it will compare stressed birds to those that aren't stressed to see what happens to their learning skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New Mexico State University Las Cruces NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Cruces, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $412,519 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS126079-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10527057 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults experiencing chronic stress who may have difficulties with language learning or cognitive functions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing chronic stress or who do not have language learning difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of chronic stress on the ability to learn new vocalizations, using budgerigars as a model for understanding similar effects in humans. The study will expose adult budgerigars to different levels of stress and measure changes in their vocal learning capabilities, as well as the biological mechanisms involved, such as gene expression in the brain. By comparing stressed and non-stressed birds, researchers aim to uncover how stress influences cognitive functions related to language learning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for cognitive and language learning difficulties associated with chronic stress in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that chronic stress negatively impacts cognitive functions in various species, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
New Mexico State University Las Cruces
Las Cruces, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wright, Timothy F — New Mexico State University Las Cruces
- Study coordinator: Wright, Timothy F
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.