# Glial Influences on Auditory Brainstem Development

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2020 · $351,625

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Central auditory processing relies on precise networks of connections, beginning at the
level of the auditory brainstem. The assembly of auditory circuitry during development
requires multiple mechanisms to regulate axon growth, synaptogenesis, and pruning of
axons and dendritic arbors. Neurodevelopmental disorders can lead to errors in these
processes and can be associated with difficulties in auditory processing and
communication. The overall goal of our research is to identify the cellular and molecular
mechanisms that lead to precise formation of these auditory circuits. In particular, we
are interested in identifying the functions of glial cells, non-neuronal cells that
communicate with neurons and provide multiple functions throughout the developing and
mature brain. We previously showed that glial cells influence synaptogenesis and
dendritic maturation in the avian auditory brainstem. Here we expand on these findings
to investigate the developmental roles of microglia in the mammalian auditory brainstem.
Our studies will focus on three specific aims. First, we will determine the function of
microglia in synaptic maturation and synaptic pruning in auditory pathways. We will use
high resolution imaging approaches to investigate the roles of microglia and their
signaling pathways in the formation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the auditory
brainstem. Additionally, we will test whether microglia contribute to pruning of synapses
in a specialized auditory pathway. Second, we will test determine the importance of
microglia in auditory brainstem function. Using both genetic and pharmacological
approaches to alter microglial signaling pathways or microglial numbers, we will
determine the roles of microglia during development and maintenance of auditory
brainstem responses. Third, we will investigate the role of microglia defining a critical
period for lesion-induced synaptogenesis. We found that microglia peak in number in
the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body at a time when this critical period closes. We
will use genetic and pharmacological models to explore the contributions of microglia to
developmental plasticity and to maturation of stable circuitry.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9918157
- **Project number:** 5R01DC010796-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Karina S Cramer
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $351,625
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-06-03 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9918157

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9918157, Glial Influences on Auditory Brainstem Development (5R01DC010796-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9918157. Licensed CC0.

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