Labeling brain cells to map sound localization in gerbils
Official title: Stimulus-specific labeling and manipulation of sound localization circuits in a new reporter Mongolian gerbil
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11464352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists will create a labeling system in Mongolian gerbils to link what people hear with the specific brain cells that process those sounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $439,875 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC023399-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11464352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients who experience difficulty with localizing sounds or using hearing devices in noisy settings; however, this grant is a basic science study in animal models.
✕Less likely to help
Direct clinical benefit to patients is not yet established; findings may inform future human research and device design.
What this research studies
This project uses the gerbil’s brain circuits for locating sounds to map which cells respond to different sound cues. Researchers will apply a labeling method in the superior olivary complex and perform in vivo recordings and high-resolution brain-slice experiments to connect cell types with sound-perception. The work aims to bridge gaps in understanding how diverse neuronal properties shape spatial hearing, potentially informing future therapies for hearing in noisy environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how sound localization works could lead to improvements in hearing devices and therapies for people with spatial hearing difficulties.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using animal models have advanced basic knowledge of auditory circuits, with new labeling approaches offering deeper insight.
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.