Auditory-Vocal Interaction Mechanisms in Primates

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议研究的目的是了解灵长类动物中发声-发声相互作用的生理机制。目前，人们对这种机制知之甚少，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，我们将检查我们的研究问题，在一个高度发声的灵长类动物，普通的绒猴（Callithrix jacchus）。与其他灵长类动物相比，绒猴为我们的研究提供了几个重要的优势：丰富的发声能力和圈养时的高繁殖率。在本研究中，我们将探讨两个关于灵长类动物发声-发声相互作用的基本问题：1）发声系统是否影响听觉信息的皮层处理？2)听觉输入是维持正常发声所必需的吗？具体来说，我们将测试的假设，即发声系统调节灵长类动物听觉皮层的神经反应。此外，我们将确定空间分布的神经元表现出发声相关的调制在听觉皮层。我们的初步数据表明，听觉皮层的神经反应是由发声系统调制的，调制开始于发声开始之前。在第二系列的实验中，我们将研究绒猴发声的发展变化及其对听觉经验的依赖性。我们的假设是，绒猴发声经历出生后的变化下，正常的听觉环境。我们将进一步测试的假设，听觉反馈是必要的，以维持正常的发声。本研究将以一种综合的方式来探讨语音-声音互动的相关问题。目标1-2和3-4代表了从两个方向研究听觉-发声相互作用的智力联系努力：目标1-2研究发声系统对听觉处理的调制，而目标3-4研究听觉系统对发声的调制。这项研究的结果将提供深入了解人类的言语产生和感知机制，并建立一个平行的非人类灵长类动物模型，以研究疾病相关的言语和听力问题。

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.