Zhou, Xiaoming

The primary objective of Dr. Zhou’s research is to understand how experience (training) rewires the brain. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), he is currently employing behavioral, electrophysiological, and molecular techniques to investigate the experience-based plasticity in the auditory cortex of model animals. He is also developingnovel training strategies for remediating deficits in cortical information processing. These studies can aid in the development of new treatment strategies for hearing impairments and other neurological disorders, including dyslexia and autism.

Selected publications:

1. Cheng Y, Chen R, Su B, Zhang G, Sun Y, An P, Fang Y, Zhang Y, Shan Y, de Villers-Sidani É, Wang Y, Zhou X (2023) Pairing with enriched sound exposure restores auditory processing degraded by an antidepressant. J Neurosci 2023 MAR 15:JN-RM-2027-22. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2027-22.2023.

2. Cheng Y, Tang B, Zhang G, An P, Sun Y, Gao M, Zhang Y, Shan Y, Zhang J, Liu Q, Lai CSW, de Villers-Sidani É, Wang Y, Zhou X (2022) Degraded cortical temporal processing in the valproic acid-induced rat model of autism. Neuropharmacology 209:109000

3. Zhang Y, Zhu M, Sun Y, Tang B, Zhang G, An P, Cheng Y, Shan Y, Merzenich MM, Zhou X (2021) Environmental noise degrades hippocampus-related learning and memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 118(1):e2017841117

4. Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Wang F, Jia G, Zhou J, Shan Y, Sun X, Yu L, Merzenich MM, Recanzone G, Yang L, Zhou X (2020) Reversal of age-related changes in cortical sound-azimuth selectivity with training. Cereb Cortex 30:1768-1778

5. Liu X, Wei F, Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Jia G, Zhou J, Zhu M, Shan Y, Sun X, Yu L, Merzenich MM, Lurie D, Zheng Q, Zhou X (2019) Auditory training reverses lead (Pb)-toxicity-induced changes in sound-azimuth selecticity of cortical neurons. Cereb Cortex 29:3294-3304

6. Cheng Y, Jia G, Zhang Y, Hao H, Shan Y, Yu L, Sun X, Zheng Q, Kraus N, Merzenich MM, Zhou X (2017) Positive impacts of early auditory training on cortical processing at an older age. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114:6364-6369

7. Zhu X, Liu X, Wei F, Wang F, Merzenich MM, Schreiner CE, Sun X, Zhou X (2016) Perceptual training restores impaired cortical temporal processing due to lead exposure. Cereb Cortex 26:334-345

8. Zhou X,  Lu YF, Darling RD, Simpson KL, Zhu X, Wang F, Yu L, Sun X, Merzenich  MM, Lin RC (2015) Behavioral training reverses global cortical network  dysfunction induced by perinatal antidepressant exposure. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 112:2233-2238

9. Zhu X, Wang F, Hu H, Sun X, Kilgard MP, Merzenich MM, Zhou X (2014) Environmental acoustic enrichment promotes recovery from developmentally degraded auditory cortical processing. J Neurosci 34:5406-5415

10. Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Zhu X, Sun X, Zhou X (2013) Refining cortical representation of sound azimuths by auditory discrimination training. J Neurosci 33:9693-9698

11. Zhou X, Merzenich MM (2012) Environmental noise exposure degrades normal listening processes. Nat Commun 10.1038/ncomms1849, 3:843

12. Guo F, Zhang J, Zhu X, Cai R, Zhou X,  Sun X (2012) Auditory discrimination training rescues developmentally  degraded directional selectivity and restores mature expression of GABAA  and AMPA receptor subunits in rat auditory cortex. Behav Brain Res 229:301-307

13. Zhou X,  Panizzutti R, de Villers-Sidani É, Madeira C, Merzenich MM (2011)  Natural restoration of critical period plasticity in the juvenile and  adult primary auditory cortex. J Neurosci 31:5625-5634

14. Pan Y, Zhang J, Cai R, Zhou X,  Sun X (2011) Developmentally degraded directional selectivity of the  auditory cortex can be restored by auditory discrimination training in  adults. Behav Brain Res 225:596-602

15. Zhou X, de Villers-Sidani É, Panizzutti R, Merzenich MM (2010) Successive-signal biasing for a learned sound sequence. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:14839-14844

16. Cai R, Zhou X,  Guo F, Xu J, Zhang J, Sun X (2010) Maintenance of enriched  environment-induced changes of auditory spatial sensitivity and  expression of GABA(A), NMDA, and AMPA receptor subunits in rat auditory  cortex. Neurobiol Learn Mem 94:452-460

17. de Villers-Sidani É, Alzghoul L, Zhou X,  Simpson KL, Lin RCS, Merzenich MM (2010) Recovery of age-related  changes in the rat primary auditory cortex with operant training. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:13900-13905

18. Zhou X, Merzenich MM (2009) Developmentally degraded cortical temporal processing restored by training. Nat Neurosci 12:26-28

19. Zhou X,  Merzenich MM (2008) Enduring effects of early structured noise exposure  on temporal modulation in the primary auditory cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:4423-4428

20. Zhou X,  Nagarajan N, Mossop BJ, Merzenich MM (2008) Influences of un-modulated  acoustic inputs on functional maturation and critical-period plasticity  of the primary auditory cortex. Neuroscience 154:390-396

21. Zhou X, Merzenich MM (2007) Intensive training in adults refines A1 representations degraded in an early postnatal critical period. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104:15935-15940

22. Zhou X, Jen PH (2007) Corticofugal modulation of multi-parametric auditory selectivity in the midbrain of the big brown bat. J Neurophysiol 98:2509-2516

23. Zhou X, Jen PHS (2005) Corticofugal modulation of directional sensitivity in the midbrain of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus.Hear Res 203:201-215

24. Jen PHS, Zhou X (2003) Corticofugal modulation of amplitude domain processing in the midbrain of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. Hear Res 184:91-106

25. Zhou X,  Jen PHS (2002) The role of GABAergic inhibition in shaping directional  selectivity of bat inferior collicular neurons determined with  temporally patterned pulse trains. J Comp Physiol 188:815-826

26. Jen PHS, Zhou X,  Zhang JP, Chen QC, Sun XD (2002) Brief and short-term corticofugal  modulation of acoustic signal processing in the bat midbrain. Hear Res 168:196-207

27. Zhou X, Jen PHS (2002) The effect of sound duration on rate-intensity functions of inferior collicular neurons in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. Hear Res 166:124-135

28. Jen PHS, Zhou X,  Wu CH (2001) Temporally patterned sound pulse trains affect intensity  and frequency sensitivity of inferior collicular neurons of the big  brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. J Comp Physiol 187:605-616

29. Zhou X, Jen PHS (2001) The effect of sound intensity on duration tuning characteristics of bat inferior collicular neurons. J Comp Physiol 187:63-73

30. Zhou X, Jen PHS (2000) Brief and short-term corticofugal modulation of subcortical auditory responses in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. J Neurophysiol 84:3083-3087

31. Zhou X, Jen PHS (2000) Neural inhibition sharps spatial selectivity of bat inferior collicular neurons. J Comp Physiol 186:389-398

32. Jen PHS, Zhou X (1999) Temporally patterned sound trains affect duration tuning characteristics of bat inferior collicular neurons. J Comp Physiol 185:471-478