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Uncovering the Functional Effects of Neurotrophins in the Auditory Brainstem

Award Number: F31DC021366
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: 01/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

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Uncovering the Functional Effects of Neurotrophins in the Auditory Brainstem - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Neurotrophins are secreted signaling proteins that promote the growth and organization of developing neurons. Gradients of expression of the neurotrophin and its associated tyrosine receptor kinase (Trk) allow for spatiotemporally regulated signaling that promotes synapse strengthening and neuronal maturation. For example, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that is secreted within the developing avian auditory brainstem. Its receptor, tryrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), is highly expressed early in embryonic development and systematically decreases to negligible amount by the time the embryo hatches. While neurotrophin signaling is essential to induce cellular and synaptic maturation in other neural tissues, its direct effects on the development and functionality of the central auditory system remains unknown. Temporal precision is essential for auditory brainstem neurons to accurately encode the complexities of sound. Therefore, the objective of this research proposal is to determine how neurotrophin signaling affects intrinsic ion channel properties responsible for establishing functional phenotypes for the roles they subserve: binaural hearing and sound localization. Specifically, I will investigate the role of the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway on defining the intrinsic phenotype of auditory brainstem neurons. I will additionally test the importance of neurotrophin regulation on the development of mature and robust auditory brainstem signaling in response to sound. The central hypothesis of this research proposal is that altered neurotrophin signaling in the auditory brainstem will decrease the ability for auditory brainstem neurons to transmit information in a temporally reliable manner. In Aim 1 I will use patch clamp electrophysiology to determine the effects of aberrant neurotrophin signaling on the intrinsic properties of auditory brainstem neurons. In Aim 2 I will assess the functional ramifications of irregular neurotrophin signaling by measuring electrical field potentials from auditory brainstem structures. Collectively, this research will elucidate the importance of neurotrophin signaling at the cellular and systems level within the auditory brainstem, providing possible candidates for developmental signals that may be dysregulated in early central auditory-related disorders.


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 = $44,751 )
2025	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	12/5/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$44,187
2025	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	2	7/15/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$564
														Subtotal = $44,751

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $42,907 )
2023	2023	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK STREET	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	8/15/2023	NEW	$42,907
														Subtotal = $42,907

Grand Total All Awards = $87,658

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Uncovering the Functional Effects of Neurotrophins in the Auditory Brainstem

Award Number: F31DC021366

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: 01/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

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