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01-05-2015 | Original Paper

A New and Fast Characterization of Multiple Encoding Properties of Auditory Neurons

Authors: Boris Gourévitch, Florian Occelli, Quentin Gaucher, Yonane Aushana, Jean-Marc Edeline

Published in: Brain Topography | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

The functional properties of auditory cortex neurons are most often investigated separately, through spectrotemporal receptive fields (STRFs) for the frequency tuning and the use of frequency sweeps sounds for selectivity to velocity and direction. In fact, auditory neurons are sensitive to a multidimensional space of acoustic parameters where spectral, temporal and spatial dimensions interact. We designed a multi-parameter stimulus, the random double sweep (RDS), composed of two uncorrelated random sweeps, which gives an easy, fast and simultaneous access to frequency tuning as well as frequency modulation sweep direction and velocity selectivity, frequency interactions and temporal properties of neurons. Reverse correlation techniques applied to recordings from the primary auditory cortex of guinea pigs and rats in response to RDS stimulation revealed the variety of temporal dynamics of acoustic patterns evoking an enhanced or suppressed firing rate. Group results on these two species revealed less frequent suppression areas in frequency tuning STRFs, the absence of downward sweep selectivity, and lower phase locking abilities in the auditory cortex of rats compared to guinea pigs.

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Title: A New and Fast Characterization of Multiple Encoding Properties of Auditory Neurons
Authors: Boris Gourévitch
Florian Occelli
Quentin Gaucher
Yonane Aushana
Jean-Marc Edeline
Publication date: 01-05-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Brain Topography / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 0896-0267
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6792
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-014-0375-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A New and Fast Characterization of Multiple Encoding Properties of Auditory Neurons

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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