Understanding how animals recognize communication sounds
Official title: CRCNS: Conserved neural computations underlying communication sound recognition in rodents and primates
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11083190 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different animals, like rodents and primates, understand and group sounds they hear, especially when it comes to communication, to see if they use similar methods in their brains, which could help us learn more about how both animals and humans communicate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $398,554 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC022533-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083190 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals with communication disorders or those interested in the neuroscience of sound recognition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have communication impairments or are not interested in the underlying neural mechanisms of sound recognition may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different species, including rodents and primates, recognize and categorize vocal communication sounds. It focuses on the auditory cortex, where the brain processes these sounds, and aims to uncover whether the strategies used for sound recognition are similar across species. By using advanced recording techniques and computational models, the study will explore how the brain learns to identify important features in vocalizations. This could provide insights into the neural mechanisms behind communication in both animals and humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of communication disorders and lead to better treatments for individuals with such impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding sound recognition in animals, making this approach promising and relevant.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sadagopan, Srivatsun — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Sadagopan, Srivatsun
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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.