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Corticofugal contributions to auditory perceptual learning

Award Number: F31DC021355
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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Corticofugal contributions to auditory perceptual learning - PROJECT SUMMARY Practice can improve the detection or discrimination of auditory stimuli. This process, called perceptual learning, facilitates language acquisition and the development of musical skills, and improves speech understanding in the hearing-impaired. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of the auditory cortex in auditory perceptual learning, but we lack a complete understanding of the neural circuit mechanisms involved. Corticofugal projections from the auditory cortex to subcortical auditory regions comprise a massive descending pathway. This pathway integrates non-sensory inputs, which are essential to perceptual learning, with sensory information and sharpens neural responses to relevant stimuli in subcortical auditory regions. Inactivation of this corticofugal pathway also impairs learning in sensory tasks with difficult, near-threshold stimuli. Taken together, the existing evidence suggests that corticofugal projections are well-positioned to play an important role in perceptual learning. The core hypothesis of this proposal is that perceptual training strengthens corticofugal modulation of activity in the ascending auditory pathway, leading to gradual enhancements in signal detection that underlie perceptual learning. Aim 1 will use in vivo electrophysiology in freely-moving, behaving animals to determine whether there are learning-related changes in neural activity in subcortical auditory regions. Aim 2 will investigate whether corticofugal projections are necessary for the acquisition and/or maintenance of training-induced improvements in perceptual sensitivity. Aim 3 will use projection-specific fiber photometry recordings to assess if the activity of corticofugal neurons correlates with behavioral improvements during perceptual learning. The findings from the proposed experiments will shed light on the neural circuits underlying auditory perceptual learning and may ultimately inform strategies to improve auditory perception in clinical populations.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $39,384 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	6/6/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$39,384
														Subtotal = $39,384

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $38,820 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	6/28/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$38,820
														Subtotal = $38,820

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $37,540 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BLDG 7809 REGENTS DR	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	4/24/2023	NEW	$37,540
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BLDG 7809 REGENTS DR	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	1	4/24/2023	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $37,540

Grand Total All Awards = $115,744

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Corticofugal contributions to auditory perceptual learning

Award Number: F31DC021355

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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