This program explores the mechanisms that underlie the perception of complex sounds. Broad in its scope, its unifying theme is the problem of auditory processing in noise. There are three principal issues: 1) Spatial hearing in ambient noise. 2) Descending modulation of sound perception, considered from the level of efferent regulation of electromotility in the cochlea to animal behavior. 3) Stimulus-provoked cell death and protection of auditory structure and function by regenerative processes in the cochlea. The program is built on testable hypotheses and state-of-the-art methodology and is motivated by clear clinical insights. Six individual projects are based in the areas of cortical physiology, animal behavior, cochlear physiology, neuropharmacology, molecular genetics, and cochlear mechanics. The projects relate directly to deafness and to the treatment of deafness by investigating mechanisms of noise- induced acoustic trauma, novel approaches to evaluation of cochlear function, and feasibility of gene transfer in the cochlea. The proposed interdisciplinary approach and mutual interaction among the six projects is enhanced by three core resources. The morphology core provides for the necessary preparation and analysis of tissue from each of the six projects. The technical core will construct and maintain unique electrical and mechanical system components required by the individual projects. The administrative core supports all projects and cores. Although meritorious on their own, the six projects and three cores, taken as a whole, constitute a unique and integrated scientific endeavor. In summary, this program will provide significant new understanding of cortical mechanisms of complex signal processing, the processes underlying temporary and permanent hearing loss, the excitotoxic damage of cochlear nerve fibers, and a genetic therapy to rescue those damaged cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01DC000078-35
Application #
6329182
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Freeman, Nancy
Project Start
1977-09-01
Project End
2002-11-30
Budget Start
2000-12-01
Budget End
2001-11-30
Support Year
35
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$1,345,769
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Otolaryngology
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
Le Prell, Colleen G; Hughes, Larry F; Bledsoe Jr, Sanford C (2014) Dynorphin release by the lateral olivocochlear efferents may inhibit auditory nerve activity: a cochlear drug delivery study. Neurosci Lett 571:17-22
Le Prell, Colleen G; Dolan, David F; Hughes, Larry F et al. (2014) Disruption of lateral olivocochlear neurons with a dopaminergic neurotoxin depresses spontaneous auditory nerve activity. Neurosci Lett 582:54-8
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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