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Context-dependent plasticity in the subcortical encoding of linguistic pitch patterns
Joseph C Y Lau1, Patrick C M Wong1,2, Bharath Chandrasekaran3,4,5,6,7
1Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|November 11, 2016
Summary
Prior listening context significantly impacts auditory plasticity. Predictable, patterned contexts enhance neural encoding of pitch patterns more than variable or repetitive ones, revealing interplay between predictability and novelty.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Neuroplasticity
- Psychoacoustics
Background:
- Human auditory perception adapts to dynamic environments through online experience-dependent plasticity.
- This adaptation involves fine-tuning sensory signals based on contextual regularities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of prior listening context on frequency-following responses (FFRs).
- To elucidate the mechanisms of online experience-dependent auditory plasticity in the subcortical auditory system.
Main Methods:
- Elicited FFRs in native Cantonese speakers using a falling lexical pitch pattern.
- Presented the pattern in variable, patterned, and repetitive listening contexts.
- Assessed neural tracking of stimulus pitch contour accuracy and robustness.
Main Results:
- Neural tracking was most faithful in patterned contexts and least faithful in variable contexts.
- Patterned contexts yielded more robust pitch tracking than repetitive contexts.
- Auditory plasticity is most effective when context is predictable but not overly repetitive.
Conclusions:
- Prior listening context robustly influences online neural encoding of linguistic pitch patterns.
- Auditory plasticity involves interplay between contextual processes responsive to predictability and novelty.
- Findings contribute to understanding the neurophysiological bases of auditory system plasticity.
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