How hormones influence hearing development and processing in the brain
Official title: Hormone-Mediated Plasticity within Central Auditory Circuits
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11033782 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how hormones influence the way our brains process sounds, especially during important life stages like growing up and having kids, and it aims to help both kids and adults understand their hearing better by using frogs as a model.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | December 10, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $130,680 |
| NIH project number | 1K99DC022342-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11033782 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing hearing loss, particularly those affected by hormonal changes during development or adulthood.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hearing loss not related to hormonal factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of hormones in shaping the neural circuits responsible for auditory processing. It aims to understand how changes in hormone levels during critical life stages, such as development and reproduction, affect hearing sensitivity and auditory function. By using molecular and electrophysiological techniques, the study will explore the mechanisms behind hormone-mediated changes in hearing, particularly focusing on both children and adults. The research utilizes a model organism, the frog, to gain insights that could be applicable to human auditory processing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for improving hearing loss related to hormonal changes.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, there is existing literature indicating that hormonal influences on auditory processing have been observed in other studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez Santiago, Mariana — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez Santiago, Mariana
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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.