Determination of the nature of the transduction, encoding, processing, and perception of acoustic signals is the major objective of this proposal. An interdisciplinary approach to such a problem is essential. Investigators trained in different disciplines combine their expertise and collaborative on four closely integrated projects to define and analyze the major events from acoustic activation of inner ear receptors to perception. The proposal's objectives are accomplished by experiments on: (1) the molecular and structural substrate underlying auditory processing and the active biochemical mechanisms in the cochlea; (2) the biochemical characteristics and control mechanisms that determine the molecular events involved in auditory transduction and its regulation; (3) electrophysiological features of hair cells and central auditory cells from cochlear nucleus to auditory cortex that determine encoding and processing; and (4) behavioral responses that reflect perceptual capacities of the auditory system for the identification, discrimination, and classification of these complex signals. These four projects are designed to yield information on the processing and perception of auditory signals at four levels of analysis, and data from each level of analysis impacts on the definition of experimental questions in the other projects. The Kresge Hearing Research Institute provides an ideal facility for this research with its multidisciplinary staff, appropriate laboratories, technical and support capabilities. The research team includes specialized personnel in anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, neuropharmacology, electrophysiology, bioengineering, and animal behavior. This group has a successful history of collaboration and provides a critical mass for the conceptualization and design of the proposed studies. This timely program continues to represent the core focus of the Institute and its faculty. The results will eventually give us a comprehensive view of the characteristics of the auditory system that underlie perception of biological signals. Clear and important clinical relevance of this program lies in the definition of specific events in auditory transduction, which will aid our understanding of possible causes of hearing loss. The analysis of the processing of complex signals will lead to improved designs for speech processing for cochlear prosthesis and hearing aids, and a clearer understanding of the basis and course of speech discrimination deficits with sensorineural hearing loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01DC000078-29
Application #
3094744
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Project Start
1977-09-01
Project End
1996-08-31
Budget Start
1993-09-01
Budget End
1994-08-31
Support Year
29
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Stefanescu, Roxana A; Koehler, Seth D; Shore, Susan E (2015) Stimulus-timing-dependent modifications of rate-level functions in animals with and without tinnitus. J Neurophysiol 113:956-70
Basura, Gregory J; Koehler, Seth D; Shore, Susan E (2015) Bimodal stimulus timing-dependent plasticity in primary auditory cortex is altered after noise exposure with and without tinnitus. J Neurophysiol 114:3064-75
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Koehler, Seth D; Shore, Susan E (2013) Stimulus-timing dependent multisensory plasticity in the guinea pig dorsal cochlear nucleus. PLoS One 8:e59828
Basura, Gregory J; Koehler, Seth D; Shore, Susan E (2012) Multi-sensory integration in brainstem and auditory cortex. Brain Res 1485:95-107
Dehmel, Susanne; Pradhan, Shashwati; Koehler, Seth et al. (2012) Noise overexposure alters long-term somatosensory-auditory processing in the dorsal cochlear nucleus--possible basis for tinnitus-related hyperactivity? J Neurosci 32:1660-71
Koehler, Seth D; Pradhan, Shashwati; Manis, Paul B et al. (2011) Somatosensory inputs modify auditory spike timing in dorsal cochlear nucleus principal cells. Eur J Neurosci 33:409-20
Bledsoe Jr, Sanford C; Koehler, Seth; Tucci, Debara L et al. (2009) Ventral cochlear nucleus responses to contralateral sound are mediated by commissural and olivocochlear pathways. J Neurophysiol 102:886-900
Skjonsberg, Asa; Halsey, Karin; Ulfendahl, Mats et al. (2007) Exploring efferent-mediated DPOAE adaptation in three different guinea pig strains. Hear Res 224:27-33

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