We propose to examine the neural mechanisms of spatial hearing in the presence of acoustical reflections. The inferior colliculus in our animal model, the barn owl, contains a topographic map of auditory space the activity across which represents the spatial relationships of sound-sources in the environment. We will reconstruct the neural image evoked by a sound from an actively-emitting source and a delayed reflection. The behavioral consequences of the owls using this image are predicted and tested in parallel behavioral experiments.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC003925-09
Application #
7073377
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-6 (01))
Program Officer
Luethke, Lynn E
Project Start
2003-09-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$374,874
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Oregon
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
948117312
City
Eugene
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97403
Nelson, Brian S; Donovan, Jeff M; Takahashi, Terry T (2015) A Neural Model of Auditory Space Compatible with Human Perception under Simulated Echoic Conditions. PLoS One 10:e0137900
Keller, Clifford H; Takahashi, Terry T (2015) Spike timing precision changes with spike rate adaptation in the owl's auditory space map. J Neurophysiol 114:2204-19
Baxter, Caitlin S; Nelson, Brian S; Takahashi, Terry T (2013) The role of envelope shape in the localization of multiple sound sources and echoes in the barn owl. J Neurophysiol 109:924-31
Donovan, Jeff M; Nelson, Brian S; Takahashi, Terry T (2012) The contributions of onset and offset echo delays to auditory spatial perception in human listeners. J Acoust Soc Am 132:3912-24
Takahashi, Terry T (2010) How the owl tracks its prey--II. J Exp Biol 213:3399-408
Nelson, Brian S; Takahashi, Terry T (2010) Spatial hearing in echoic environments: the role of the envelope in owls. Neuron 67:643-55
Nelson, Brian S; Takahashi, Terry T (2008) Independence of echo-threshold and echo-delay in the barn owl. PLoS One 3:e3598
Bala, Avinash D S; Spitzer, Matthew W; Takahashi, Terry T (2007) Auditory spatial acuity approximates the resolving power of space-specific neurons. PLoS One 2:e675
Spitzer, Matthew W; Takahashi, Terry T (2006) Sound localization by barn owls in a simulated echoic environment. J Neurophysiol 95:3571-84
Whitchurch, Elizabeth A; Takahashi, Terry T (2006) Combined auditory and visual stimuli facilitate head saccades in the barn owl (Tyto alba). J Neurophysiol 96:730-45

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