The Role of Tonic Neural Responses in Auditory Pitch Perception in Awake Rat A1

细粒听觉音调知觉缺陷与语言学习障碍有关， 某些形式的阅读障碍，以及更严重的神经疾病。细粒度的频率歧视是 据信是初级听觉皮质(A1)的一种功能，但其机制仍不清楚。 在个体A1神经对同频音调反应的时间过程中，相对非频率- 选择性相位激发让位于更狭隘的选择紧张激发，这种激发贯穿始终 音调的持续时间。A1中的紧张性反应可能编码了细粒度的光谱感知。本研究 我将研究与纯音的音高知觉有关的主音反应的作用和功能 使用神经记录、微刺激和行为技术相结合的方法唤醒大鼠。神经 来自多通道电极阵列的记录将被用来完全表征A1的紧张性神经反应 到同频音调。将使用同时的神经记录和微刺激范例来 研究皮层内调制对同频刺激处理的贡献。最后， 微刺激将与一种行为范式配对，以研究感知到的感觉音调 由A1以模拟自然等频反应的模式人工激活而引发。这个 这些技术的结合将提供一个独特的详细视图的机制和功能 A1中关于细粒音调知觉的主音反应。 这项研究将有助于理解大脑如何将声音信息分解为声音频率。 从这项研究中获得的知识可能有助于开发更好的儿童治疗方法 语言学习障碍或由中风和其他脑损伤引起的语言障碍。

Deficits in fine-grained auditory pitch perception have been implicated in language learning disorders, certain forms of dyslexia, and more severe neurological conditions. Fine-grained frequency discrimination is believed to be a function of the primary auditory cortex (A1), but the mechanism responsible is still unclear. In the time-course of individual A1 neural responses to iso-frequency tones, relatively non-frequency- selective phasic excitation gives way to more narrowly selective tonic excitation that is sustained throughout the duration of the tone. Tonic responses in A1 may code for fine-grained spectral perception. This study will investigate the role and functionality of tonic responses with respect to pitch perception of pure tones in awake rats using a combination of neural recording, microstimulation, and behavioral techniques. Neural recordings from multichannel electrode arrays will be used to fully characterize tonic neural responses in A1 to iso-frequency tones. A simultaneous neural recording and microstimulation paradigm will be used to examine the contribution of intracortical modulation to processing of iso-frequency stimuli. Finally, microstimulation will be paired with a behavioral paradigm to investigate the perceived pitch of sensation elicited by artificial activation of A1 in a pattern mimicking natural iso-frequency responses. The combination of these techniques will provide a uniquely detailed view of the mechanisms and functionality of tonic responses in A1 with respect to fine-grained pitch perception. This study will help in understanding how the brain breaks down sound information into sound frequency. The knowledge gained from this study could be useful in developing better treatments for childhood language learning disorders or for language disorders stemming from strokes and other brain damage.