Understanding how the brain processes important sounds

Dendritic Mechanisms Underlying Behaviorally-Relevant Activity in a Descending Auditory Pathway

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11221067

This study looks at how the brain helps us focus on important sounds, like speech, by examining how different parts of the brain work together in mice, and it aims to help us understand how we listen better in noisy environments.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded)
Locations1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11221067 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how the brain's auditory system processes sounds that are important for understanding speech and other complex auditory information. By studying the connections between the auditory cortex and midbrain in mice, the researchers aim to uncover how the brain prioritizes certain sounds over others during active listening. The approach involves advanced techniques to observe and analyze the neural mechanisms that contribute to this selective auditory processing, which is crucial for effective communication and learning.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related hearing loss or auditory processing difficulties.

Not a fit: Patients with normal hearing or those not experiencing age-related auditory issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for age-related hearing loss and better auditory processing strategies for affected individuals.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory processing mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on descending pathways is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.