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The effects of life-long exposure to low doses of bisphenol A on the development and use of vocal pathways in X. laevis

Award Number: R15DC020315
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: 08/05/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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The effects of life-long exposure to low doses of bisphenol A on the development and use of vocal pathways in X. laevis - Project Summary Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are known hazards which are still prevalent in the environment and in the human home. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a known EDC found in common items from plastic to paper receipts. Recent evidence suggests that BPA is present in Americans at levels high enough to cause detrimental effects on language acquisition in male, human children. Though such levels are considered safe for acute, adult exposure, the impact of long-term, low-dose exposure to EDCs during development is an understudied phenomenon with potentially serious impacts on human health. The aims of this study are to: 1) To track the impact of low-dose BPA exposure across development into adulthood, and 2) To identify the mechanisms underlying vocal deficits caused by endocrine disruption. The proposed studies include in vivo analyses of juvenile development and behavior as they transition into adult vocal behavior patterns. The in vivo work is complemented with in vitro analysis of the larynx and the neural structures within the brain that drive vocalization. These studies utilize the South African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, as a model organism. The mechanisms driving X. laevis vocalization patterns are well-studied, and their vocal behaviors are varied but not complex. X. laevis produce at least seven different types of vocalization; some are male-specific, some are female-specific, and all are used in specific social contexts. The variation is vocal patterns is balanced by the fact that the calls are innate and do not need to be learned. Xenopus vocal behavior is easily quantified. Calls have distinct features which make them easily counted as distinct units. Each call is also composed of sounds that have distinct temporal and spectral features which can also be quantified for comparisons. The temporal and spectral components of vocalizations are generated by the vocal pattern generator in the brain and the resonance structures within the larynx (respectively,) and both structures have robust in vitro preparations that allow for mechanistic study. Thus, the X. laevis vocal system is well suited for studies of language disruption by EDCs like BPA, because aberrations are easily identified and proximal causes can be directly investigated. This investigation will provide insight how BPA impacts language development, allowing us to identify potential targets for speech therapy as well as highlighting the potential hazards of long-term, low-dose exposure to EDCs.


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 = $359 )
2025	2022	NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY, INC.	4701 N CHARLES ST	BALTIMORE	MD	21210	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	003	2	6/11/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$0
2025	2022	NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY, INC.	4701 N CHARLES ST	BALTIMORE	MD	21210	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	2	2/18/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$161,776
2025	2022	BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY	5700 COLLEGE RD	LISLE	IL	60532	DUPAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	2/18/2025	NEW	-$161,417
2025	2022	NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY, INC.	4701 N CHARLES ST	BALTIMORE	MD	21210	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	2	3/20/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$0
														Subtotal = $359

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY	5700 COLLEGE RD	LISLE	IL	60532	DUPAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	10/17/2023	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $381,932 )
2022	2022	BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY	5700 COLLEGE RD	LISLE	IL	60532	DUPAGE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	8/5/2022	NEW	$381,932
														Subtotal = $381,932

Grand Total All Awards = $382,291

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The effects of life-long exposure to low doses of bisphenol A on the development and use of vocal pathways in X. laevis

Award Number: R15DC020315

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: 08/05/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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