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Eye position affects activity in primary auditory cortex of primates
Uri Werner-Reiss1, Kristin A Kelly, Amanda S Trause
1Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|April 5, 2003
Summary
Auditory cortex neurons do not use a simple head-centered reference frame. Eye position significantly influences neural responses to sound location, suggesting a more complex spatial representation for multisensory integration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Perception
- Sensory Integration
Background:
- Primary auditory cortex neurons are spatially sensitive.
- Auditory and visual systems traditionally use different reference frames (head-centered vs. eye-centered).
- Reconciling these reference frames is crucial for multisensory integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reference frame of neurons in the primary auditory cortex.
- To determine if eye position influences auditory spatial sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Recorded neural activity in the auditory cortex of primates.
- Monkeys were trained to fixate visual stimuli at various orbital positions.
- Neural responses to sound location were analyzed under different eye positions, including during spontaneous eye movements.
Main Results:
- Eye position altered the activity of 31% of auditory cortex neurons.
- 23% of neurons showed altered responses to sound location based on eye position.
- A complex interaction between eye position and sound location created an auditory space representation that was neither head- nor eye-centered.
Conclusions:
- Auditory spatial representation is not solely head-centered.
- Neurons integrating eye position and sound location are key for multisensory convergence.
- Findings challenge conventional views and support a more integrated sensory processing framework.