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

强直神经反应在清醒大鼠 A1 听觉感知中的作用

基本信息

批准号：
7345393
负责人：
Andrew Michael Sloan
金额：
$ 3.3万
依托单位：
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
财政年份：
2007
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2007-01-22 至 2009-01-21
项目状态：
已结题

项目摘要

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.

细粒度听觉感知的缺陷与语言学习障碍有关，某些形式的阅读障碍和更严重的神经系统疾病。细粒度频率鉴别是据信这是初级听觉皮层（A1）的功能，但其机制仍不清楚。在个体 A1 神经对等频音调反应的时间过程中，相对非频率- 选择性相性兴奋让位于更窄选择性的强直性兴奋，这种兴奋始终持续音调的持续时间。 A1 中的主音反应可以编码细粒度的光谱感知。这项研究将研究主音反应在纯音音高感知方面的作用和功能结合使用神经记录、微刺激和行为技术来唤醒大鼠。神经多通道电极阵列的记录将用于全面表征 A1 的强直神经反应到等频音调。同时神经记录和微刺激范例将用于检查皮质内调制对等频刺激处理的贡献。最后，微刺激将与行为范例相结合，以研究感知的感觉音高通过以模仿自然等频响应的模式人工激活 A1 来引发。这这些技术的结合将提供关于机制和功能的独特详细视图 A1 中关于细粒度音高感知的主音反应。这项研究将有助于了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中风和其他脑损伤引起的语言障碍。