How learning affects different types of brain cells in the auditory cortex
Official title: Learning-induced changes in distinct auditory cortical cell-types
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10922737 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells in mice help them understand sounds and make decisions based on what they hear, which could help us learn more about how our brains turn sounds into actions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31DC021363-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922737 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with auditory processing disorders or related cognitive challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no auditory processing issues or those who do not engage in auditory-guided behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the auditory cortex processes sound information to influence behavior, particularly focusing on the distinct types of neurons involved in this process. By using a novel auditory categorization task with mice, the study aims to understand how these neurons communicate and change during learning. Two-photon imaging will be employed to observe these changes over time, providing insights into the neural circuitry that supports auditory-guided behaviors. The findings could enhance our understanding of how auditory information is transformed into actions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for auditory processing disorders and related behavioral issues.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding neural circuits related to auditory processing, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, Nathan a — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Schneider, Nathan a
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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.