SGER: Computational Models to study auditory processing and learning disorders in children

这个SGER（探索性研究的小额赠款），模拟学习障碍儿童的听觉处理及其相应的治疗，建立，验证和实验的计算模型的音频信号在人类大脑的听觉神经系统的处理。长期目标是将语音和听力科学家通过人类听觉系统实验获得的与声学处理流相关的知识捕获到计算模型中，短期目标包括：理解听觉处理系统的哪些部分应该包括在模型中，与语音和听力科学的研究人员协商构建神经网络模型，并通过对实验观察到的数据运行计算机模拟来验证模型。这种模型预计将预测脑干对通过人耳进入的音频信号的反应，并将其划分为耳蜗中更精细的频谱分量，从那里脉冲通过听觉神经和脑干中的几个专门的核团传播到听觉皮层。事实上，音频信号在听觉皮层或通往听觉皮层的途中分裂成两个不同的“什么”和“哪里”流，这激发了这项研究。虽然有许多计算模型的听觉系统存在，新颖性的建议研究在于inIncluding的腹侧和背侧流的计算模型和验证模型对听觉脑干反应观察到的儿童学习disorders.Broader影响：一个验证模型"打开大门"，研究建议的治疗方法对儿童学习障碍的基础上听觉缺陷的影响。使用这种方法，计算机近似可以作为一个快速和相对便宜的先驱，以可能的治疗。智力优势：本研究将拓展神经计算建模的学科，有助于理解儿童学习障碍的原因，从而开发相应的治疗方法。

This SGER (Small Grants for Exploratory Research), modeling auditory processing in children with learning disabilities and its corresponding treatments, builds, validates, and experiments with computational models the processing of audio signals in the auditory nervous system of the human brain. With a long term goal for capturing into a computational model the knowledge related to the acoustic processing streams acquired by a speech and hearing scientist through experiments with the human auditory system, the short-term goals include:Understanding what portions of the auditory processing system ought to be included in the model, building a neural network model in consultation with researchers in speech and hearing sciences, and Validating the model by running computer simulations against experimentally observed data. Such a model is expected to predict brainstem responses to audio signals that come in via the human ear and partition into its finer spectral components in the cochlea from where the impulses travel via the auditory nerve and several specialized nuclei in the brainstem to the auditory cortex. The fact that the audio signals split into two distinct "what" and "where" streams in the auditory cortex or en-route to it motivates the research. Although many computational models of the auditory system exists, the novelty of the proposed research lies inIncluding the ventral and dorsal streams in the computational model and Validating the model against auditory brainstem responses observed in children with learning disorders.Broader Impact: A validated model "opens the door" to study the impact of proposed treatments for children with learning disabilities based on auditory deficiencies. Using this approach, computer approximations could serve as a fast and relative inexpensive precursor to possible treatments. Students will also gain expertise in the area.Intellectual Merit: This research will expand the discipline of neuro-computational modeling and should contribute in understanding the causes of learning disabilities in children, thus enabling development of the corresponding treatments.