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Neural Computations Underlying Intensity Perception Across Sensory Systems

Award Number: K99DC022956
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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Neural Computations Underlying Intensity Perception Across Sensory Systems - Project Summary: All animals, including humans, navigate and interpret the world through the combined perception of a variety of sensory stimuli. One fundamental feature of sensation is perceived intensity i.e., the magnitude of the sensation. Intensity is critical across all sensory systems: a loud sound can prompt a fast reaction; a strong smell can warn of a threat. Moreover, the perceived intensity of a sensory stimulus also determines the attention devoted to that stimulus, with stronger stimuli becoming on average more salient. Disruptions in intensity perception often lead to sensory symptoms, such as hypo- and hyper sensitivities, which can be pervasive in several brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even tinnitus. These symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life of individuals that experience them by creating challenges in engaging with the surrounding environment, leading to social withdrawal, isolation, or impaired work and daily activities. However, despite its enormous importance, intensity perception is not well understood, and so are the disorders that arise from divergences in intensity perception. The central goal of proposal is to rigorously tackle the question of which neural computations underlie intensity perception during unimodal and multimodal stimuli. By combining behavioral measures of intensity equivalence and neural recordings, the proposed experiments will advance the understanding of how intensity perception is encoded for both uni-modal and multi-modal olfactory and auditory stimuli. Aim 1 will leverage an intensity-matching behavioral task to estimate iso-intense concentrations, which will be used to extract odor-specific intensity- concentration relationships and build a model to predict absolute intensity curves from physicochemical features of odorant molecules. Aim 2 will leverage electrophysiology to record neural activity in olfactory bulb and piriform cortex in awake animals and ask whether changes in neural synchrony encode perceived intensity. Optogenetic stimulation of the bulb will allow to establish a causal link between olfactory bulb activation and cortical synchrony. Aim 3 will leverage the intensity matching paradigm to compare the intensity of multi- and uni-modal odor and sound stimuli and determine whether stimuli from different sensory systems are compared on a unified intensity scale and if multi-modal stimuli are perceived as more intense than unimodal stimuli at the same amplitude. Aim 4 will test the hypothesis that the neural underpinning of a common intensity scale is implemented by either the basolateral amygdala or the orbitofrontal cortex, both for uni-modal and multi-modal stimuli. Multi- area large-scale electrophysiology recordings in basolateral amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, piriform and auditory cortex will be used to study this question. In the mentored phase I will complete a training plan designed to strengthen the experimental skills needed for my research program as an independent investigator, and to build the professional skills needed for success as a faculty member, taking advantage of resources and expertise available from the mentor, advisory committee and broader environment at NYU.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $135,972 )
2026	2026	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	550 1ST AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10016	NEW YORK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	6/12/2026	NEW	$135,972
														Subtotal = $135,972

Grand Total All Awards = $135,972

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Neural Computations Underlying Intensity Perception Across Sensory Systems

Award Number: K99DC022956

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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