Functional organization of the superior temporal gyrus for speech perception

项目总结 理解口语的基本机制尚不清楚。我们不明白， 例如，人脑如何提取最基本的语言元素(辅音和元音) 从复杂且高度可变的声学信号。言语的皮层表征研究 声音很可能有助于阐明这个根本问题。之前的研究已经证明了上级 在语音处理中的颞叶皮质。然而，大脑皮层实际上代表的是什么(即 编码)音素不确定。直接从皮质表面记录神经活动是一种 这是一种很有前途的方法，因为它可以同时提供高的空间和时间分辨率。在这里，我建议研究一下 利用神经外科获得的神经生理记录进行语音编码的机制 程序。高密度电极阵列、先进的信号处理和直接皮质刺激 将被用来解开语音在外侧颞叶皮质中的局部种群编码 作为跨越多个感觉和认知区域的全球处理。

PROJECT SUMMARY The basic mechanisms underlying comprehension of spoken language are unknown. We do not understand, for example, how the human brain extracts the most fundamental linguistic elements (consonants and vowels) from a complex and highly variable acoustic signal. An investigation of the cortical representation of speech sounds can likely shed light on this fundamental question. Previous research has implicated the superior temporal cortex in the processing of speech sounds. However, how the cortex actually represents (i.e. encodes) phonemes is undetermined. The recording of neural activity directly from the cortical surface is a promising approach since it can provide both high spatial and temporal resolution. Here, I propose to examine the mechanisms of phonetic encoding by utilizing neurophysiological recordings obtained during neurosurgical procedures. High-density electrode arrays, advanced signal processing, and direct electrocortical stimulation will be utilized to unravel both local population encoding of speech sounds in the lateral temporal cortex as well as global processing across multiple sensory and cognitive areas.