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Echoic memory: investigation of its temporal resolution by auditory offset cortical responses
Makoto Nishihara1, Koji Inui2, Tomoyo Morita2
1Department of Integrative Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan; Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.
Plos One
|August 30, 2014
Summary
The brain
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Sensory Memory
Background:
- Auditory offset cortical responses are influenced by sound history, suggesting echoic memory involvement.
- Previous research indicates memory of sound repetition frequency shapes offset response latency.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the temporal resolution of sensory storage.
- Measure auditory offset responses using magnetoencephalography (MEG).
Main Methods:
- Presented 1-second click trains to participants.
- Recorded auditory offset responses using MEG, focusing on the Off-P50m component.
- Analyzed the relationship between inter-stimulus interval (ISI) and Off-P50m latency.
Main Results:
- A clear magnetic response (Off-P50m) occurred around 60 ms after sound offset.
- Off-P50m latency was strongly correlated with the click train's ISI (r²=0.99).
- Latency varied with ISI, being longest at 40 ms (25 Hz) and shorter for ISIs from 2.5–20 ms, indicating high temporal resolution (~5 ms).
Conclusions:
- Sensory storage accurately determines auditory offset response latency based on stimulation frequency.
- The brain exhibits very high temporal resolution in auditory sensory storage, capable of distinguishing intervals as short as approximately 5 ms.
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