Auditory-Vocal Interaction Mechanisms in Primates

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的目的是了解灵长类动物听觉-声音相互作用的生理机制。目前，人们对这些机制知之甚少，也没有足够的灵长类动物模型来解决这些问题。在这个应用程序中，我们将在一种高度发声的灵长类动物，普通狨猴（Callithrix jacchus）中检查我们的研究问题。狨猴为我们的研究提供了比其他灵长类动物更重要的优势：丰富的声乐曲目和高繁殖率。在本研究中，我们将探讨灵长类动物听觉-声音相互作用的两个基本问题：1)声音产生系统是否影响听觉信息的皮质加工？2)听觉输入是维持正常发声所必需的吗？具体来说，我们将测试声音产生系统调节灵长类动物听觉皮层神经反应的假设。此外，我们将确定在听觉皮层中显示发声相关调节的神经元的空间分布。我们的初步数据表明，听觉皮层的神经反应受到声音产生系统的调节，这种调节在声音开始之前就开始了。在第二个系列实验中，我们将研究狨猴发声的发育变化及其对听觉经验的依赖。我们的假设是，在正常的听觉环境下，狨猴的发声经历了出生后的变化。我们将进一步验证听觉反馈对于维持正常发声是必要的这一假设。本研究将以一种综合的方式来探讨听觉-声音互动的相关问题。目的1-2和3-4代表了从两个方向研究听觉-声音相互作用的智力相关努力：目的1-2研究听觉系统对听觉加工的调节，而目的3-4研究听觉系统对声音产生的调节。本研究结果将为人类语言的产生和感知机制提供新的见解，并建立一个平行的非人类灵长类动物模型来研究语言和听力疾病相关问题。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of the proposed research is to understand physiological mechanisms underlying auditory-vocal interaction in primates. Currently such mechanisms are poorly understood, and there are no adequate primate models available to address these issues. In this application, we will examine our research questions in a highly vocal primate, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The marmoset provides several important advantages for our studies over other primate species: a rich vocal repertoire and a high reproductive rate while in captivity. In the proposed research, we will examine two fundamental questions concerning auditory-vocal interaction in primates: 1) Does the vocal production system influence cortical processing of auditory information? 2) Is auditory input necessary to maintain normal vocal production? Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that the vocal production system modulates neural responses in the auditory cortex in primates. Furthermore, we will determine spatial distributions of neurons exhibiting vocalization-related modulated in the auditory cortex. Our preliminary data indicates that neural responses in the auditory cortex are modulated by the vocal production system, with the modulation starting prior to the vocal onset. In the second series of experiments, we will study developmental changes in marmoset vocalizations and its dependence on the auditory experience. Our hypothesis is that marmoset vocalizations undergo postnatal changes under the normal auditory environment. We will further test the hypothesis that auditory feedback is necessary for maintaining normal vocal productions. The proposed research will approach the issues related to auditory-vocal interaction in an integrated manner. Aims 1-2 and 3-4 represent intellectually linked efforts to study auditory-vocal interaction from two directions: Aims 1-2 investigate modulation of auditory processing by the vocal system, whereas Aims 3-4 investigate modulation of vocal production by the auditory system. Findings of this research will provide insight into speech production and perception mechanisms in humans and establish a parallel non-haman primate model to investigate disease-related issues in speech and hearing.