# The role of ion channels in shaping the function of inner ear neurons

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2024 · $497,671

## Abstract

SUMMARY
The cell bodies of vestibular ganglion neurons express a diverse range of ion channels
and neurotransmitter receptors. This diversity provides a rich biophysical substrate for
shaping the intrinsic excitability of individual neurons and expands the populations’
repertoire for sensory signaling. In the vestibular nerve, the temporal precision needed
to code rapid head movements is determined by neurons firing at irregular intervals,
whereas the ability to detect slow head movements sensitively is determined by neurons
firing at regular intervals. Here we test whether the ion channels resident in the
membranes of vestibular neurons produce this important diversity or whether other
specializations of dendritic and synaptic morphology are also needed. The resolution of
this question requires joint characterizations of ion channel composition and dendritic
morphology in individual neurons. To provide this, we will perform patch-clamp
recordings combined with single-cell labeling in semi-intact neuro-epithelium preparations
in which neurons are still connected to their hair cells. Definitive relationships between
ion channel composition and neuronal function cannot be established without considering
the impact of efferent modulation on individual ion channels. Using pharmacology, we
will define the impact of cholinergic efferent signals on two ion channels identified as
being prominent for controlling the firing patterns and excitability of vestibular ganglion
neurons. We will test if some neurons are more receptive to this modulation than others.
Identifying such differences may also reveal opportunities for selectively targeting
therapeutics to specific neuron groups. We will combine the unique joint
characterizations of ion channels and dendritic morphology from our experiments to
create computational models to examine the relative importance of ion channel
composition and dendritic integration on vestibular afferent responses. Overall, our work
integrates powerful computational and experimental approaches to advance our
understanding of a fundamental aspect of vestibular function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10731389
- **Project number:** 5R01DC015512-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** RADHA KALLURI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $497,671
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2027-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10731389

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10731389, The role of ion channels in shaping the function of inner ear neurons (5R01DC015512-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10731389. Licensed CC0.

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