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Brain Bases for Navigating Acoustic Features
Alexander J Billig1, William Sedley2, Phillip E Gander3,4
1UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, UK.
Human Brain Mapping
|March 9, 2026
Summary
Mental navigation through sound density engages brain regions similar to physical navigation. This study reveals overlapping neural systems for spatial and non-spatial mental travel, impacting auditory working memory and navigation success.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Auditory Perception
Background:
- Debate exists on whether physical navigation shares neural substrates with mental travel in other domains.
- Previous research indicates hippocampal involvement in auditory working memory and spatial mapping of tone frequency.
- Rodent studies suggest hippocampal cells can map tone frequency to physical location when task-relevant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if mental navigation along a non-spatial auditory dimension engages similar neural systems as physical navigation.
- To explore the neural representation of auditory density and its role in mental navigation tasks.
- To identify brain regions involved in encoding, maintenance, and adjustment during auditory mental navigation.
Main Methods:
- Generated a sound dimension based on tone density, ranging from 'beepy' to 'noisy'.
- Utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor brain activity in human participants.
- Participants performed a mental navigation task involving holding auditory density targets in memory and adjusting sounds to match.
Main Results:
- Auditory density representation was strongest in bilateral non-primary auditory cortex (planum polare).
- Maintained target density was represented in the right anterior hippocampus and left inferior temporal gyrus.
- Activity in the hippocampus, inferior frontal gyrus, planum polare, and posterior cingulate correlated with navigation success.
Conclusions:
- Self-initiated mental travel along a non-spatial auditory dimension engages a brain system overlapping with physical navigation.
- The findings suggest shared neural mechanisms for spatial and non-spatial mental navigation.
- This research provides insights into the brain's flexible use of neural substrates for diverse cognitive functions.
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