BME News Highlights
Research HighlightsMay 19, 2008 Wang lab paper published in NatureProf. Xiaoqin Wang and his doctoral student Steven Eliades have
published a paper in the journal Nature entitled "Neural substrates of vocalization feedback monitoring in primate auditory cortex," appearing online May 4 in advance of publication. Eliades, the first author of the paper, was the
recipient of last year's SOM Young Investigator Award.
Abstract:
Vocal communication involves both speaking and hearing, often taking place
concurrently. Vocal production, including human speech and animal
vocalization, poses a number of unique challenges for the auditory system.
It is important for the auditory system to monitor external sounds
continuously from the acoustic environment during speaking despite the
potential for sensory masking by self-generated sounds. It is also
essential for the auditory system to monitor feedback of one's own voice.
This self-monitoring may play a part in distinguishing between
self-generated or externally generated, auditory inputs and in detecting
errors in our vocal production.
Previous work in humans and other animals has demonstrated that the auditory cortex is
largely suppressed during speaking or vocalizing. Despite the importance of
self-monitoring, the underlying neural mechanisms in the mammalian brain,
in particular the role of vocalization-induced suppression, remain
virtually unknown. Here we show that neurons in the auditory cortex of
marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) are sensitive to auditory feedback
during vocal production, and that changes in the feedback alter the coding
properties of these neurons. Furthermore, we found that the previously
described cortical suppression during vocalization actually increased the
sensitivity of these neurons to vocal feedback. This heightened sensitivity
to vocal feedback suggests that these neurons may have an important role in
auditory self-monitoring.
Link to article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature06910.html
Nature Podcast (Neuropod):
http://www.nature.com/neurosci/neuropod/mp3/neuropod-2008-05-19.mp3
Posted: May 19, 2008
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