# 2020 Neural Mechanisms of Acoustic Communication Gordon Research Conference and Seminar

> **NIH NIH R13** · GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES · 2020 · $36,980

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
Different species often feature distinct communication strategies for the production and perception of acoustic
social signals, and a comparative approach to the study of the neural mechanisms underlying acoustic
communication can lend insight into general mechanisms of neural function. A more complete understanding of
these brain processes is critical for paving the way to novel treatments of the 46 million Americans experiencing
a communication disorder, including deficits in speech production and language use resulting from conditions
such as stroke-related neural deficits and autism. A major challenge in the study of acoustic communication is
the segregation of information between human and nonhuman studies as well as the isolated communities that
focus on individual model systems. The Gordon Research Conference on the Neural Mechanisms of Acoustic
Communication (NMAC GRC) is a new scientific meeting created to bring together a highly interdisciplinary
group of researchers to better understand how the brain encodes and produces acoustic signals. We will
leverage the experimental access inherent in laboratory animals to study the cellular mechanisms for acoustic
communication from a diversity of organisms, including humans. We anticipate that this conference will help to
reveal new principles concerning vocal communication in the hopes of developing a deeper understanding of
the disorders that affect these processes. Topics of this inaugural program include vocal development and
learning, vocal interactions, auditory specializations, genomics, predictive coding, and cortical mechanisms of
vocal production.
The 2020 NMAC has three specific aims: 1) To advance acoustic communication research by offering an
environment that encourages questions and discussion, challenges current thinking, identifies open questions,
and provides opportunities for new collaborations; 2) to create a unique forum for interaction for researchers with
different perspectives on acoustic communication; and 3) to promote diversity in acoustic communication
research with respect to gender balance, career stage, and representation of underrepresented minorities.
Successful completion of these aims will advance acoustic communication research by encouraging new ideas
and collaborations, highlighting diversity in the field, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. This should
accelerate the pace of discovery and translation to the clinic, consistent with the mission of NIH.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980608
- **Project number:** 1R13DC018692-01
- **Recipient organization:** GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL A LONG
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $36,980
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2022-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980608

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980608, 2020 Neural Mechanisms of Acoustic Communication Gordon Research Conference and Seminar (1R13DC018692-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980608. Licensed CC0.

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