NEURONAL BASES OF SOUND LOCALIZATION PERFORMANCE

耳间时间差（ITD）是听觉空间感知的主要线索。关于ITD敏感性及其表征的机制的新假设已经基于在未麻醉的准备中来自听觉系统的每个水平的记录而被开发。在这项研究中，我打算通过录音和听觉皮层的连接研究来验证这一假设。具体目标是：1）识别初级听觉皮层中ITD表征的地形图，其与确定个体神经元中ITD调谐的参数有关，2）确定不同皮层层中响应特性的分布，以及3）研究ITD信息从初级皮层到其他区域的流动。我的长期目标是了解这个主要感觉系统在单个神经元和神经群体的生理反应方面的表现，并测试这种理解对行为的影响。预期的健康益处包括开发使用所发现的原理来帮助听力受损个体的设备、软件或假体。

Interaural time differences (ITDs) are a dominant cue for the perception for auditory space. New hypotheses concerning the mechanism of ITD sensitivity and its representations have been developed based on recordings from each level of the auditory system in an unanesthetized preparation. For this study, I intend to test this hypotheses through recordings and connectional studies in the auditory cortex. The specific aims are to: 1) identify the topography of ITD representation in the primary auditory cortex in relation to parameters that determine ITD tuning in individual neurons, 2) determine the distribution of response properties in different cortical layers, and 3) study the flow of ITD information from primary cortex to other areas. My long-term goal is to understand the performance of this major sensory system in terms of the physiological responses of single neurons and neural populations, and test this understanding against behavior. The expected health benefits include the development of devices, software, or prostheses that use the principles discovered to assist hearing-impaired individuals.