Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 181.14 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Acoustic parameters underlying vocalization-sensitive neural responses in Rhesus monkey auditory cortex. |
| Authors: |
Ghazanfar, A. A.*1
; Leopold, D. A.1
; Hauser, M. D.2
; Logothetis, N. K.1
1Max Planck Insitute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen, Germany 2MA, Spemannstrasse 38, 72076, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Sensory Systems - Auditory -- Central physiology |
| Session: |
181. Auditory Cortex I Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 9, 2003 9:00 AM-10:00 AM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # I12 |
| Keywords: | temporal cortex, speech, species-specific vocalizations, birdsong |
The vocal behavior of macaque monkeys has been studied extensively in both field and laboratory settings. To date, however, no investigation has systematically examined the neural mechanisms underlying species-specific recognition of their vocalizations. To bridge this gap, we are investigating the auditory representation of conspecific vocalizations in the neocortex of behaving rhesus monkeys. Subjects performed a simple auditory detection task during which, on each trial, they listened to a conspecific vocalization followed by a non-vocal, target sound. The stimulus set consisted of call types familiar to our captive-bred subjects but from unknown individuals: three exemplars from each of 7 call categories. Our preliminary investigation using these natural stimuli (Ghazanfar et al, SFN 2002) revealed that ~45% of auditory belt cortical multi-units were selective for 1 or 2 call categories. This suggests that the macaque auditory cortex is specialized to process communication sounds. To assess the degree of this specialization and the specificity of vocalization-sensitivity, we are comparing single-unit responses to vocalizations with time-reversed versions, pure-tones and band-passed noise. For each vocalization, a pure-tone and a band-passed noise stimulus were generated to match the signal’s duration, dominant frequency and average RMS power. Recordings from both core and belt cortical areas will determine whether vocalization-sensitive neurons in these regions are driven by simple features of the signal or by more complex interactions between spectral and temporal properties.
Supported by Max Planck Society
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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