Lecture � neuro prelims, auditory system 1

Greg Detre

3/12/99

 

perhaps use timing code for low frequences and place code after

central auditory system is very complex

3-6 synaptic stations between cochlear and A1

superior olivary complex � first place where input from the two ears comes together

ventral/dorsal cochlear nuclei

VLN anterior/posterior

 

largest synapses in the CNS

preserve timing � spherical bushy cells

CN � first inhibition��������� type IV + V help with speech sounds

Shannon � just 4 frequency bands temporally modulated

speech still comprehensible

telephone < 4kHz

AVLN SOC������ (where pathway)

DLN + PVCN midbrain����������������� functional segration?

 

where � sound source

inter-aural time difference

inter-aural intensity difference - higher amplitude in one ear

outer ear � front vs back position

 

large spherical bushy cells bipolar in the medial superior olivary nucleus

dual excitatory

AP � limited conduction velocity������� delay lines

offset ITD coding

 

barn owls � Konishi soundproof IR-lit lab

heightened sense of sound localisation

 

biologically plausible situation: free field rather than closed sound delivery system

top-down approach � started by recordings in the midbrain (inferior colliculus)

very small receptive field neurons

unusual � computational maps of auditory space

owls � opening to left ear is higher

ITD + IID � sound azimuths + elevation (different planes)

 

Questions

why two eyes of equal spatial acuity???

why not 1�???