Understanding how birds perceive rhythms and its effects on their brain
Official title: Investigating Auditory-Motor Interactions During Rhythm Perception in a Small Animal Model
Funded at Tufts University Medford · NIH-11034064 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how songbirds understand and respond to rhythmic sounds, which could help us learn more about how rhythm affects movement and could lead to better therapies for people with neurological disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Medford NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $345,988 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129695-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11034064 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are individuals recovering from strokes or those with neurological conditions that affect auditory processing and motor skills.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to auditory processing or motor planning may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how auditory and motor systems interact in birds when they perceive rhythmic sounds. By using a small animal model, specifically vocal learning songbirds, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that allow these birds to recognize and predict rhythmic patterns. The researchers will manipulate and measure neural circuits to understand how the brain processes these rhythms, which could have implications for music-based therapies in humans. The findings may help improve recovery strategies for neurological disorders by revealing how rhythm perception is linked to motor planning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance music-based therapies for patients recovering from neurological disorders, improving their rehabilitation outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding auditory-motor interactions can lead to significant advancements in therapies for neurological disorders, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Medford
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kao, Mimi Hsiao Feng — Tufts University Medford
- Study coordinator: Kao, Mimi Hsiao Feng
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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.