The Neurophysiological Effects of Simulated Auditory Prosthesis Stimulation

THIS PAGE IS ARCHIVED MATERIAL.

Principal Investigator	Affiliation	Contract Number	Link
Paul Abbas, Ph.D.	University of Iowa	N01-DC9-21xx	UNIV OF IOWA

---

Project Title: The Neurophysiological Effects of Simulated Auditory Prosthesis Stimulation, July 1998

STATEMENT OF WORK

1. Background

Much is known about how the firing patterns of neurons in the cochlear nerve, in the cochlear nucleus, and in more central auditory locations are affected by normal auditory input to the normal cochlea. To a limited extent these studies have been repeated with electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve in both intact and deafened animals.

To increase the effectiveness of multichannel auditory prostheses, it is important to study and more optimally control the spatio-temporal activation patterns of both target stimulated neurons and more central, synaptically activated auditory system neurons.

Notes to Offerors:

Research on auditory prostheses for deaf individuals is supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). This request for proposals represents the first competitive renewal of a research project (Contract #N01-DC-6-2111, University of Iowa) administered by the Neural Prosthesis Program (NPP). It will be coordinated with other research in the NPP including the development of speech processors for auditory prostheses, the feasibility of a central nervous system auditory prosthesis and an investigation into the protective effects of electrical stimulation of the auditory system. Offerors can elect to concentrate on investigations that are more relevant to either cochlear implants or central auditory prostheses, but only animal studies will be supported by this contract.

A bibliography of publications from previous and on-going studies supported by the NPP is available on the web:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/npp

Copies of quarterly progress reports from the present contract are available on the same above mentioned web site.

2. Objective

The objective of this research is to develop new methods of electrically stimulating the auditory system to improve the information transfer in auditory prostheses. A specific type of auditory prosthesis (e.g. extracochlear implant, cochlear implant, cochlear nucleus implant, etc.) is not specified because all types of prostheses could benefit from increased information transfer. Although this research will support only animal studies, the workscope requires plans for the application of the results to humans.

3. Work to be Performed

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall perform neurophysiological studies on the effects of simulated auditory prosthesis stimulation in deaf animals for the purpose of improving present and future auditory prostheses. Although designs for human studies are required, actual human studies shall not be conducted under this contract.

A. Select an animal model(s) representative of humans with a specific type of hearing impairment to be simulated (e.g., sensory deafness from loss of hair cells or neural deafness from loss of auditory nerve fibers).

B. Using neurophysiological recording techniques in the chosen animal model(s), study the activation of target and, if appropriate, more central auditory system neurons by patterns of electrical stimulation, elicited with suitable configurations of stimulating electrodes, that mimic those used or being considered for use in human auditory prostheses.

C. Based on the results of the above studies, develop new spatio-temporal stimulation techniques that are likely to increase information transfer into the deafened auditory system.

1. Demonstrate increased information transfer by multichannel recording techniques in the animal model.

2. The use of computer models of the anatomical and electrical characteristics of the relevant portions of the auditory system are encouraged, but not required.

D. If the contractor does not have expertise in developing and testing auditory prostheses in humans, establish a collaboration with a research group that has such expertise.

1. Design safe protocols for evaluation of the new stimulation techniques in humans with percutaneous connectors and if feasible, in humans with transcutaneous radio-frequency transmission systems.

2. If sufficient animal data does not exist to determine the safety of the new techniques, administered on a chronic basis, discuss possible future animal experiments by other investigators to establish the safe limits.

E. In the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall coordinate its experimental program through the Project Officer with results of experimental findings developed by other collaborators in the Neural Prosthesis Program.