Spectral and Temporal Integration in the Auditory System

描述（由申请人提供）：我们的长期目标是阐明神经活动，声音处理，感知和行为之间的关系。我们特别建议建立神经活动的关系，以区分时间和频谱的声音功能在初级听觉皮层（A1）和前外侧带区（AL）的非人类受试者。以前，我们已经确定了他们的能力，检测和区分时间和频谱的声音功能。我们现在来探讨这个问题：听觉皮质核心区和带状区的神经元反应与非人类受试者的心理物理和行为表现有何关系？这三个目标的目的是比较三个基本方面，这些问题的核心和侧带区，以确定不断变化的重点处理沿着上升皮层通路。目的1是确定频谱和时间调制检测的神经基础。目的二是确定听觉皮层的单神经元反应如何与知觉和行为选择相关。目的3是确定行为状态和任务参与对神经元编码时间调制能力的影响。为了实现这些目标，我们将建立单个单位听觉皮层（AC）活动与神经元和非人类受试者辨别声音的能力之间的定量关系，并确定哪些代码最有可能是感知能力的基础。我们还将记录从单一的单位，而非人类受试者区分声音，以确定初级和次级感觉皮层区域的作用，从感觉到任务的执行。这将使我们深入了解积极参与任务如何在单个神经元水平上提高神经处理能力，以及初级感觉皮层是否接收信息或参与导致行动的过程。由于该提案将大脑功能与大脑的不同部分联系起来，因此它与更好地理解点状脑损伤（如中风引起的脑损伤）如何影响听觉功能有关。这些研究的结果将有助于我们更好地了解注意力如何调节听觉活动，从而使这一基础科学与频谱障碍（包括但不限于注意力缺陷障碍，阅读障碍等）相关。这些结果也可能有助于指导助听器和人工耳蜗植入物的编码方法，因为神经编码和专注于声音的能力与设计这些设备有关。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Our long-term goal is to elucidate the relationship between neural activity, sound processing, perception and behavior. We specifically propose to establish the relationship of neural activity to discriminating temporal and spectral sound features in the primary auditory cortex (A1) and anterior lateral belt area (AL) of non-human subjects. Previously, we have determined their ability to detect and discriminate temporal and spectral sound features. We now approach the question: How do neuronal responses in auditory cortical core and belt areas relate to non-human subjects' psychophysical and behavioral performance? The three aims are designed to compare three fundamental aspects related to these issues in a core and in a lateral belt area to determine the changing emphasis of processing along the ascending cortical pathway. Aim 1 is to determine the neural basis of spectral and temporal modulation detection. Aim 2 is to determine how single neuron responses from auditory cortex are related to perception and behavioral choices. Aim 3 is to determine the effect of behavioral state and task-engagement on neurons ability to encode temporal modulations. To achieve these aims, we will establish the quantitative relationships between single unit auditory cortical (AC) activity and the ability of neurons and non-human subjects to discriminate sounds, and determine what codes most likely underlie perceptual ability. We will also record from single units while non-human subjects discriminate sound to determine the role of primary and secondary sensory cortical areas in the transformation from sensation to task performance. This will give insight into how active engagement in a task improves neural processing ability at the single neuron level and whether primary sensory cortex receives information or is involved in the processes that lead to action. Because the proposal relates brain function to different parts of the brain it is relevant for a better understanding about how punctate brain damage such as that cause by stroke affects auditory function. The results of these studies will help us to better understand how attending sound modulates auditory activity and thus makes this basic science have relevance for the spectrum disorders (that include, but are not limited to attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, etc). The results also could have relevance in helping to guide approaches to coding for hearing aids and cochlear implants since both neural coding and the ability to focus on sounds are relevant for designing these devices.