How visual deprivation affects hearing circuits in the brain
Official title: Plasticity of Layer 6 corticothalamic pyramidal cell circuits in the adult primary auditory cortex following visual deprivation
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10997925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain can adjust and get better at hearing when someone has lost their sight, especially in adults with hearing loss, to find new ways to make cochlear implants work better for them.
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 | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC022195-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with hearing loss who may benefit from cochlear implants and have experienced visual deprivation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced hearing loss or those who do not have cochlear implants may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's auditory circuits can adapt and improve following visual deprivation, particularly in adults with hearing loss. By examining the interactions between visual and auditory information in the brain, the study aims to enhance the effectiveness of cochlear implants for adults, who typically experience less success than children. The methodology involves analyzing the neural circuits in the primary auditory cortex and their plasticity in response to changes in sensory input. This could lead to new strategies for improving hearing restoration in adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cochlear implant outcomes for adults with hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that enhancing auditory plasticity through sensory deprivation can lead to improved outcomes, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Anthony Tyrone — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Collins, Anthony Tyrone
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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.