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Self-vocalizations activate the developing auditory cortex via an intracortical pathway
Didhiti Mukherjee1, Chih-Ting Chen1, Patrick O Kanold1,2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Science Advances
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Early in development, self-vocalizations activate the auditory cortex (ACtx) before hearing begins, originating from brain regions like the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and motor cortex (M2). This vocalization-driven activity shapes auditory cortex development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Auditory System Development
Background:
- Auditory cortex (ACtx) development depends on early spontaneous and later evoked neural activity.
- The sources of early ACtx activity before sensory experience remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sources and impact of early neural activity in the developing auditory cortex.
- To determine if self-vocalization influences ACtx activity before hearing onset.
Main Methods:
- In vivo imaging in neonatal mouse pups.
- Auditory cortex activity monitoring during self-vocalization.
- Investigation of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and secondary motor cortex (M2) projections.
- Inactivation of ACC/M2 to assess functional impact.
Main Results:
- Self-vocalization-associated ACtx activity was detected before ear opening and exceeded tone-evoked activity.
- This activity persisted in deafened pups, indicating a non-peripheral source.
- Projections from ACC and M2 to ACtx were identified, showing correlated vocalization-driven activity.
- ACC/M2 inactivation decreased self-vocalization and ACtx activity.
Conclusions:
- Self-vocalizations represent a significant early-life input to the developing auditory cortex, preceding auditory experience.
- The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and secondary motor cortex (M2) are key sources of this top-down influence.
- This previously unrecognized vocalization-driven pathway plays a crucial role in shaping auditory cortex development.
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