How the brain detects patterns in sound sequences

该项目使用最先进的神经成像技术(脑电、脑磁图和功能磁共振成像)和行为实验(心理物理学)来揭示人类听众如何在快速展开的声音序列中发现模式和统计规律。越来越多的实验证据表明，大脑对感觉输入的统计规律在多个时间尺度上很敏感，这种敏感性在我们理解环境、有效互动和在环境中生存的能力中发挥着关键作用。然而，一个关键问题--最初发现模式的过程--在很大程度上没有得到调查。我的建议集中在这一关键缺失的环节上。我提出了一个最近在我的实验室开发和验证的范例，它允许我们在听觉系统内非常详细地观察这些过程。该方法基于测量大脑对由特定控制规则控制的快速音调点音序列的行为和时间锁定的反应，旨在揭示(1)大脑如何在声音序列中发现模式，(2)涉及哪些神经机制，(3)这个过程在多大程度上是自动的或容易受到听者的注意力状态和行为目标的影响。这些结果将揭示在理解听觉和更广泛的知觉方面的一个重要缺失环节，并为目前系统神经科学中围绕输入统计数据和预测编码的敏感性的辩论提供信息。该项目利用并将扩展我在心理物理学、电生理学和听觉功能的大脑成像方面的专业知识。它得到了伦敦大学学院耳科研究所和惠康信托神经成像中心强大的多学科科学和临床环境的支持。

This project employs state of the art neuroimaging (EEG, MEG and fMRI) and behavioural experimentation (psychophysics) to reveal how human listeners discover patterns and statistical regularities in rapidly unfolding sound sequences. Accumulating experimental evidence suggests that the brain is sensitive to statistical regularities in sensory input, at multiple time scales, and that this sensitivity plays a key role in our ability to understand, efficiently interact with, and survive in the environment. However, a key question - the process through which patterns are detected in the first place - has largely eluded investigation. My proposal focuses on this crucial missing link. I propose a paradigm, recently developed and validated in my laboratory, that allows us to observe these processes, with great detail, within the auditory system. The method, based on measuring behavioural and time-locked brain responses to rapid tone-pip sequences governed by specifically controlled rules aims to uncover (1) how the brain discovers patterns in sound sequences, (2) which neural mechanisms are involved, (3) to what degree the process is automatic or susceptible to attentional state and behavioural goals of the listener. The results will reveal an important missing link in understanding audition, and perception more generally, and inform the current debate in systems neuroscience surrounding sensitivity to input statistics and predictive coding. The project draws upon, and will extend, my expertise in psychophysics, electrophysiology, and brain imaging of auditory function. It is backed by the strong multidisciplinary scientific and clinical environment of the UCL Ear Institute and the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging.