Spatial Tuning in the Nucleus of the Brachium of the Inferior Colliculus

描述（由申请人提供）：在本提案中，我们将研究下丘臂核（BIN）中潜在听觉空间敏感性的线索组合的计算。我们将通过呈现声音刺激同时记录BIN中神经元的细胞外反应来表征位置和频率的感受野。此外，我们将通过测量对具有随机频谱形状的声音刺激的反应来表征和建模这些感受野的多线索相互作用。这项研究的结果将阐明的神经机制的整合声音定位线索的必要形成的对象在上升的听觉系统。 听觉神经假体的一个未解决的问题是产生足够的空间位置的刺激的感觉。该信息对于多说话者环境中的空间解蔽以及定位声音是重要的。了解听觉空间场是如何在BIN中构建的，这对于确定需要提供哪些声音定位线索以及以何种形式提供应该是有用的。最后，这项工作的结果也是一个先决条件，计划在听力障碍的声音定位表示的赤字的实验调查。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this proposal, we will investigate the computations for cue combination underlying auditory spatial sensitivity in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus (BIN). We will characterize the receptive fields for both location and frequenc by presenting sound stimuli while simultaneously recording extracellular responses from neurons in the BIN. In addition, we will characterize and model multi-cue interaction underlying these receptive fields by measuring responses to sound stimuli with random spectral shapes. The results of this study will elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying the integration of sound localization cues necessary for the formation of objects in the ascending auditory system. An unsolved problem in auditory neural prostheses is producing an adequate sense of the spatial location of stimuli. This information is important for spatial unmasking in multi-talker environments as well as for localizing sounds. An understanding of how auditory spatial fields are constructed in the BIN should be useful in determining which sound localization cues need to be provided and in what form. Finally, the results of this work are also a prerequisite for planning an experimental investigation of the deficits in the sound localization representation in hearing impairment.