Wednesday, October 22, 2025 10/22/2025

Auditory Information Processing in the Amygdala

Award Number: R01DC000937
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/01/1990
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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Auditory Information Processing in the Amygdala - Project Summary The long-term goal of this work is to improve the understanding of neural mechanisms that underlie acoustic communication. Our premise is that the amygdala, a brain region associated with emotional expression, plays a critical role in this process. The amygdala “decides” whether a vocal signal is significant, or salient, and whether its valence is positive or negative based on contextual information from the vocal sequence, other senses, and the listener's internal state. The amygdala orchestrates emotional responses that are appropriate for the received vocal communication signals and their context. Further, the amygdala modulates responsiveness to vocal signals through its direct and indirect projections to auditory cortex and other auditory structures. In other words, the amygdala is likely to influence how we hear and respond to social vocalizations. Our central hypothesis is that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) receives information about all types of social vocalizations, and that mechanisms within the BLA provide moment-by-moment assessment of the meaning of these social signals based on the surrounding context. This assessment is expressed by highly selective responses of most BLA neurons for contextually aversive vocal stimuli and by context-dependent temporal patterns of response. We hypothesize that this assessment depends on integration of excitatory auditory inputs with GABAergic inhibition and neuromodulatory inputs. We will examine bases for selectivity, temporal response patterns, and contextual modulation in four Specific Aims. First, we will use intracellular recording to examine subthreshold and suprathreshold responses to vocal stimuli in BLA. Second, we will examine the contributions of auditory cortical and thalamic inputs to the responses of amygdalar neurons, using optogenetic methods to separately inactivate each of these inputs. In the final two Aims, we will combine local application of drugs with single neuron recordings to examine the contributions of receptors mediating glutamatergic excitation and GABAergic inhibition, as well as receptors for cholinergic modulation that are likely to convey contextual information associated with the received social vocalizations. We will use a normal hearing mouse strain, CBA/CaJ, that has a well understood acoustic communication system. These Specific Aims provide an interconnected approach to understand the mechanisms acting within the basolateral amygdala that contribute to the analysis of meaning in social vocalizations. These mechanisms are important in acoustic communication because the amygdala is involved in disorders that result in an altered emotional response to speech, such as schizophrenia, autism, and some forms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, these studies will assess mechanisms related to therapeutic drugs affecting glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic transmission in the amygdala.


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 = $591,593 )
2025	2025	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 STATE ROUTE 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	31	9/18/2025	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$591,593
														Subtotal = $591,593

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 STATE ROUTE 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	30	4/16/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $589,681 )
2022	2022	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	30	6/21/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$590,277
2022	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 STATE ROUTE 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	25	10/1/2021	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$596
														Subtotal = $589,681

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $590,277 )
2021	2021	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	29	6/17/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$590,277
														Subtotal = $590,277

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $590,277 )
2020	2020	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	28	6/6/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$590,277
2020	2018	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	26	11/20/2019	COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$596
2020	2018	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	004	26	8/18/2020	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$596
2020	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	003	25	8/18/2020	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$596
2020	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	25	11/20/2019	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$596
														Subtotal = $590,277

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $590,277 )
2019	2019	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	27	6/28/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$590,277
2019	2018	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	26	2/13/2019	COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$596
2019	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	25	2/13/2019	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$596
														Subtotal = $590,277

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $637,748 )
2018	2018	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	26	6/27/2018	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$603,155
2018	2018	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	003	26	7/20/2018	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$34,593
2018	2018	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	005	26	9/19/2018	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$30,277
2018	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	004	25	9/19/2018	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$30,277
2018	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	25	6/21/2018	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
2018	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4209 SR 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	25	12/14/2017	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $637,748

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $461,475 )
2016	2016	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	25	1/14/2016	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$461,475
														Subtotal = $461,475

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $454,956 )
2015	2015	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	24	1/16/2015	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$454,956
														Subtotal = $454,956

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $461,475 )
2014	2014	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	23	2/6/2014	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$461,475
														Subtotal = $461,475

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $436,571 )
2013	2013	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	22	5/13/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$22,977
2013	2013	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	22	1/8/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$413,594
														Subtotal = $436,571

Issue Date FY: 2012 ( Subtotal = $523,950 )
2012	2012	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	21	2/16/2012	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$523,950
2012	2010	NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY	4029 STATE ROUTE 44	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	20	2/13/2012	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $523,950

Issue Date FY: 2010 ( Subtotal = $310,493 )
2010	2010	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	20	5/21/2010	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$310,493
2010	2009	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	POST OFFICE BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Trans-NIH Recovery Act Research Support	000	19	1/26/2010	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$0
														Subtotal = $310,493

Issue Date FY: 2009 ( Subtotal = $439,687 )
2009	2009	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Trans-NIH Recovery Act Research Support	003	19	9/18/2009	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$100,000
2009	2009	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	19	5/26/2009	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$313,630
2009	2009	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	POST OFFICE BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Trans-NIH Recovery Act Research Support	001	18	6/26/2009	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$0
2009	2009	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	P.O. BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Trans-NIH Recovery Act Research Support	000	18	5/29/2009	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$26,057
														Subtotal = $439,687

Issue Date FY: 2008 ( Subtotal = $313,630 )
2008	2008	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	POST OFFICE BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	18	5/13/2008	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$313,630
														Subtotal = $313,630

Issue Date FY: 2007 ( Subtotal = $317,761 )
2007	2007	NORTHEASTERN OHIO UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	POST OFFICE BOX 95	ROOTSTOWN	OH	44272	PORTAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	17	5/28/2007	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$317,761
														Subtotal = $317,761

Grand Total All Awards = $9,473,640

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Auditory Information Processing in the Amygdala

Award Number: R01DC000937

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/01/1990

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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