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Published on: August 18, 2020
Somatosensory context alters auditory responses in the cochlear nucleus
Patrick O Kanold1, Kevin A Davis, Eric D Young
1Department of Biology, University of Maryland, 1116 Biosciences Res. Bldg., College Park, MD 20742, USA. pkanold@umd.edu
Journal of Neurophysiology
|December 24, 2010
Summary
Somatosensory input influences how the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) processes sound. Non-auditory events alter auditory neuron responses, demonstrating early sensory integration in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Sensory Integration
Background:
- The cochlear nucleus (CN) is the initial auditory structure in the central nervous system.
- It processes auditory information and receives nonauditory inputs.
- The dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) is a key component of the CN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of somatosensory inputs on DCN principal neuron responses to auditory stimuli.
- To characterize the temporal dynamics and mechanisms of this nonauditory influence.
Main Methods:
- In vivo electrophysiological recordings in the dorsal cochlear nucleus.
- Application of somatosensory stimuli preceding auditory stimuli.
- Analysis of neuronal spike rates and temporal firing patterns.
Main Results:
- Somatosensory inputs significantly modulate DCN principal neuron responses to sound.
- Effects include short-term spike suppression and long-term changes in firing rate (milliseconds to hundreds of milliseconds).
- A single electrical somatosensory pulse can initiate long-term changes, resembling persistent activity.
Conclusions:
- Auditory information processing in the DCN is context-dependent, influenced by preceding somatosensory events.
- This early integration highlights the brain's ability to link different sensory modalities.
- Cartwheel cells, a type of inhibitory interneuron, may play a role in mediating these long-term effects.
Related Concept Videos
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
01:22Hair Cells
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.
01:33Somatosensation
The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
01:15Auditory Pathway
Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
01:31Hearing
When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.
01:11Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System
The somatosensory system is the central and peripheral nervous system component that senses and processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position or proprioception. The process of sensation takes place at three levels:
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...