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Related Concept Videos

Encoding01:19

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Information enters the brain through encoding, which is the input of information into the memory system. Once sensory information is received from the environment, the brain labels or codes it. The information is then organized with similar information and connected to existing concepts. Encoding occurs through automatic processing and effortful processing.
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The human ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies in the audible range. It may perceive sound waves with the same pressure but different frequencies as having different loudness. Moreover, the perception of sound waves depends on the health of an individual's ears, which decays with age. The health of one's ears may also be affected by regular exposure to loud noises.
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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.
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The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
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Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology
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Decoding semantic sound categories in early visual cortex.

Giusi Pollicina1,2, Samuel A Müller3, Polly Dalton1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom.

Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|August 2, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The early visual cortex can process auditory information, representing semantic categories like human or animal sounds. This suggests cross-modal processing in the brain, even without visual input.

Keywords:
MVPAauditionearly visual cortexfMRImultisensory interaction

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Sensory Processing

Background:

  • The early visual cortex (EVC) was traditionally considered exclusive to visual processing.
  • Emerging evidence suggests EVC can process auditory information, but its content and specificity remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the information content and specificity of auditory representations in the EVC.
  • To determine if semantic and categorical sound information is represented in EVC.

Main Methods:

  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in blindfolded human participants.
  • Participants listened to 36 natural sounds across hierarchical semantic categories.
  • Multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA) and whole-brain searchlight analysis were employed.

Main Results:

  • fMRI activity patterns in EVC (V1, V2, V3) decoded animate/inanimate and specific sound categories (human, animal, vehicle, object).
  • Human sounds were represented more distinctly in EVC than other semantic categories.
  • Sound decoding was also successful in higher-level visual and multisensory brain regions.

Conclusions:

  • The EVC processes semantic and categorical sound information, extending its function beyond visual processing.
  • These auditory representations in EVC may play a role in predicting visual input.
  • Findings highlight cross-modal plasticity and integration within the human brain.