How mice use head position to locate sounds
Official title: Central auditory pathways for integrating auditory input with head position during active sound localization in mice
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11063823 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how mice use their hearing and head position to find sounds, which could help us understand how people with hearing and balance issues adapt to their challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $191,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC019711-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063823 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals with hearing impairments or balance disorders, particularly those who may use head movements to compensate for their conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing and balance functions are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mice integrate auditory information with their head position to locate sounds. By using a mouse model, the study aims to understand the neural pathways involved in active sound localization, which is crucial for behaviors like finding lost pups by sound. The researchers will employ advanced genetic, physiological, and imaging techniques to explore how the auditory cortex processes these signals. This knowledge could provide insights into how humans with hearing and balance disorders adapt their behavior to cope with their conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for helping individuals with hearing and balance disorders adapt to their conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on auditory processing, this specific approach using a mouse model for active sound localization is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodgers, Christopher — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Rodgers, Christopher
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Administrative and Engagement Core for Breast Cancer Breakthrough in Kenya
A national effort in Kenya to speed up how we screen for breast cancer and connect women to treatment, using teamwork across institutions.
-
Collaborative research program to advance patient care
A multi-project research effort at Emory University aims to push forward medical knowledge that could help people with illnesses in the future.
-
Project-003: A multi-partner research program at Emory University
A multi-faceted NIH grant at Emory University aims to advance understanding in a focused area over several years to benefit patients with diseases or conditions connected to the research.
-
Project-002: advancing patient care through coordinated research at Emory
A multi-project NIH grant at Emory aims to translate findings into better care for people with a health condition by coordinating research efforts across teams.
-
Project-006: A Multidisciplinary Emory Initiative to Advance Medical Understanding
A multi-project NIH grant at Emory University aims to push forward medical knowledge in areas that could eventually help patients.
-
Project-005: A multi-component research effort at Emory University
A multi-part NIH grant from Emory University aims to advance understanding in a specific health area over several years with potential patient benefits in the future.
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.