# The brainstem vocal control circuits

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2024 · $573,315

## Abstract

Abstract
Vocalization is used in many species for social and emotional communications. Interestingly, mice can emit
two types of vocalizations: ultrasonic vocalizations during social and courtship interactions (USVs) and
audible squeaks in response to stress and pain. While previous studies, including our owns, have
uncovered higher centers regulating vocalization, such as the gating of USV production by neurons in the
periaqueductal gray (PAG), the precise neuronal cell types and the mechanisms for producing the actual
sounds via vocal cord adduction and vocal-breathing coordination remain poorly understood. The circuit
elements that selectively required for eliciting audible squeaks in mice also remain unknown. The objective
of this research proposal is to solve these two fundamental questions of vocal control. In preliminary
studies, we have used activity-dependent method that identified excitatory vocal premotor neurons located
in the retroambiguus nucleus (RAmVOC) as sufficient for driving vocal-cord closure and elicit USVs. RAmVOC
neurons are also absolutely necessary for both USVs and squeaks Here, we will (1) transcriptomically
define the cell types of all laryngeal premotor (pre-MNlary) and as well as all RAmVOC presynaptic (pre-
RAmVOC) neurons; (2) determine the activity and function of preBotCInh – RAmVOC pathways in vocal-
respiratory coupling; and (3) determine the roles of different populations of periaqueductal gray (PAG),
Kölliker-Fuse (KF), nucleus solitary tract (NTS) neurons in driving audible emotional vocalizations. We
expect to not only identify the hitherto unknown circuits that trigger emotional cries but also reveal precise
cells and mechanisms underlying vocal-respiration coordination and lay molecular foundations for future
dissection of other aspects of vocal control (pitch and shape of syllables), for finding potential treatment
targets for dysphonia and other disorders related to motor speech productions, as well as for revealing how
other physiological needs control vocal cord movements in health and diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10941369
- **Project number:** 1R01DC021970-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Fan Wang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $573,315
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10941369

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10941369, The brainstem vocal control circuits (1R01DC021970-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10941369. Licensed CC0.

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