Understanding how brain signals affect hearing and sound processing
Official title: Mechanisms of Cholinergic Signaling in the Inferior Colliculus
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11143146 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain brain signals related to hearing change as we age or experience hearing loss, and it aims to understand how these changes affect our ability to hear and adapt to different sounds, which could help improve treatments for hearing problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $603,472 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021416-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143146 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related hearing loss or individuals with auditory processing disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal hearing or those without any auditory processing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cholinergic signaling in the inferior colliculus, a key area in the brain for processing sound, affects our ability to hear and adapt to different auditory environments. By examining how these signals change with age and in conditions like hearing loss, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind auditory processing and how they can be altered. The research employs advanced techniques to analyze the interactions between different types of neurons and their responses to cholinergic agents, which could lead to new insights into hearing disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for age-related hearing loss and other auditory processing disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cholinergic signaling in other areas of the brain, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberts, Michael Thomas — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Roberts, Michael Thomas
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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.