# Project 3 - Animal Neurophysiology

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA · 2020 · $280,626

## Abstract

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY- Project 3
Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) – presbycusis – is a significant Public Health issue. It is the number one
communication disorder and neurodegenerative condition of our aged population; and ranks as one of the top
three chronic medical conditions, along with arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. Although much has been
learned, the search is on for biomedical treatments that prevent, slow down or reverse the consequences of
ARHL. In fact, there are no FDA-approved drugs to treat ARHL, despite a prevalence of over 40 million people
in the US alone. The scope of Project 3 will delineate the functional effects on neural correlates of complex
sound processing using different modulators of presbycusis.
Specific Aim 1. Determine if hormonal supplementation can prevent or slow the progression of neural
processing deficits observed in the aged auditory midbrain and cortex.
Experimental approach: Neural correlates of temporally complex noise and signals-in-noise auditory stimulus
paradigms will be assessed using multi-channel electrophysiology in animals undergoing aldosterone therapies.
These measures will be compared with changes in biomarkers of aldosterone, and to behavioral correlates.
Specific Aim 2. We will determine if exposing aging mice to an augmented acoustic environment (AAE)
will improve neural correlates of sound processing deficits associated with presbycusis.
Experimental approach: AAEs will consist of two extended, controlled exposures to specific temporally
enriched and signal-in-noise background sounds presented in the free-field in the animal holding environment.
Neural measures will characterize improvements in temporal processing and extraction of signals-in-noise, key
features of ARHL at multiple levels of the auditory nervous system.
Specific Aim 3. Determine the synergistic effects of aging and acquired hearing loss following drug-
induced sensorineural hearing loss and unilateral conductive loss on auditory processing, and the
neural bases of the therapeutic effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve cortical
maladaptive plasticity in the central auditory system. Experimental approach: Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation- TMS, has been shown to be effective in treating various disorders related to maladaptive cortical
plasticity, but the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic benefits of TMS are unknown. We
will measure neural correlates of central plasticity following acute hearing loss using multi-channel
electrophysiology and cortical local-field potentials. A major focus of experiments will be the link between
maladaptive plasticity and alteration in the interplay between neural excitation and inhibition.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9868869
- **Project number:** 5P01AG009524-25
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSEPH P WALTON
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $280,626
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9868869

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9868869, Project 3 - Animal Neurophysiology (5P01AG009524-25). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9868869. Licensed CC0.

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