How the brain processes sounds and actions during learning
Official title: Cortical and subcortical dynamics in the central auditory system across learning and overtraining
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10998291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how animals learn to connect sounds with rewards and how their brains change as they practice, helping us understand how our hearing works and how experiences shape it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | December 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC022190-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998291 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals experiencing hearing loss or auditory processing issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing and no auditory processing concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the auditory system in animals adapts to sound associations linked to rewards through learning. It focuses on the auditory cortex and its interactions with subcortical regions, examining how these areas change in response to training and overtraining. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to understand the dynamics of neural plasticity and how sound-action associations are formed and stored in the brain. The findings could provide insights into how auditory processing is affected by experience and behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of hearing loss and auditory processing disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding auditory processing and neural plasticity, indicating that this approach has a solid foundation.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Su Jin — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Su Jin
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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.