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Linear processing of spatial cues in primary auditory cortex

Author

Listed:
  • Jan W. H. Schnupp

    (University Laboratory of Physiology, University of Oxford)

  • Thomas D. Mrsic-Flogel

    (University Laboratory of Physiology, University of Oxford)

  • Andrew J. King

    (University Laboratory of Physiology, University of Oxford)

Abstract

To determine the direction of a sound source in space, animals must process a variety of auditory spatial cues, including interaural level and time differences, as well as changes in the sound spectrum caused by the direction-dependent filtering of sound by the outer ear1. Behavioural deficits observed when primary auditory cortex (A1) is damaged have led to the widespread view that A1 may have an essential role in this complex computational task2,3,4,5. Here we show, however, that the spatial selectivity exhibited by the large majority of A1 neurons is well predicted by a simple linear model, which assumes that neurons additively integrate sound levels in each frequency band and ear. The success of this linear model is surprising, given that computing sound source direction is a necessarily nonlinear operation6,7,8,9. However, because linear operations preserve information, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that A1 may also form a gateway to higher, more specialized cortical areas10,11.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan W. H. Schnupp & Thomas D. Mrsic-Flogel & Andrew J. King, 2001. "Linear processing of spatial cues in primary auditory cortex," Nature, Nature, vol. 414(6860), pages 200-204, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:414:y:2001:i:6860:d:10.1038_35102568
    DOI: 10.1038/35102568
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    Cited by:

    1. Lingyun Zhao & Li Zhaoping, 2011. "Understanding Auditory Spectro-Temporal Receptive Fields and Their Changes with Input Statistics by Efficient Coding Principles," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(8), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Roohollah Massoudi & Marc M Van Wanrooij & Huib Versnel & A John Van Opstal, 2015. "Spectrotemporal Response Properties of Core Auditory Cortex Neurons in Awake Monkey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-30, February.

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