Neurobiology of Hearing and Myelinopathies

The Auditory Neurobiology and Myelinopathies Research Group studies the molecular bases of auditory function, hearing loss, and associated myelinopathies. Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent medical problems: it is estimated that up to 8% of the population in the developed world is affected, and a significant increase in its impact is expected due to population aging, increasing exposure to noise, and the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. In Spain, approximately 200 children are born each year with profound deafness, and more than one and a half million people suffer from chronic hearing problems of varying severity.

Our work contributes to defining the genetic and molecular bases of hearing and to investigating the clinical utility of IGF‑1 intracellular targets as diagnostic and prognostic factors, as well as potential otoprotective agents. In addition, we have developed proprietary technology that we transfer to society through the Non‑Invasive Neurofunctional Evaluation (ENNI) service. The group actively participates in postgraduate training and in scientific outreach activities, with the aim of raising social awareness of the importance of hearing. In this context, our representation in the WHO World Hearing Forum is particularly noteworthy.

The group has achieved a position of national and international leadership in the field of auditory neurobiology. A fundamental pillar of this success is its multidisciplinary and multi‑institutional nature, integrating faculty members from the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) together with clinicians from the Otorhinolaryngology Department of La Paz University Hospital. Close collaboration with the clinical setting has been key to proposing and achieving ambitious scientific goals, leading European projects, and consolidating our position as an international reference group.

Support from the IIBM, CIBERER‑ISCIII, and the Network of Laboratories of the Community of Madrid has made it possible to transfer our expertise to the ENNI service of the CSIC, a unique service within this network.

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Group Coordinator

Tenured Scientists

Adscribed Personnel