How the brain learns to locate sounds using timing cues
Official title: Dendritic integration and synaptic plasticity in the MSO
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11443143 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how the brain learns to use tiny timing differences between ears to pinpoint where sounds come from, especially as children develop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $382,867 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC023969-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11443143 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with normal or developing hearing who could benefit from insights into early auditory development and future treatments for sound localization problems.
✕Less likely to help
Adults or individuals without developmental auditory concerns may find the results less directly applicable to their care.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the brain’s auditory circuit develops the ability to use interaural time differences for localizing sounds. Researchers will examine the medial superior olive (MSO) in mammals, focusing on how neurons change their excitability, shape their dendrites, and adjust synaptic connections during early development. The work aims to connect developmental changes in brain circuits with real-world listening skills, especially in challenging environments. Findings could inform better strategies to prevent or mitigate early hearing-related difficulties as children grow.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how children’s ears and brains learn to localize sounds could lead to improved therapies and hearing devices.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in animal models has shown ITD processing in MSO, but human-focused developmental insights remain emerging and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golding, Nace L — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Golding, Nace L
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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.