The long-term objective of this research is to understand fundamental neural coding mechanisms in auditory cortex that subserve cortical representations of biologically relevant sounds. We will use the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) as our experimental model to address these questions. This model system provides several important advantages over other species, namely, a hearing range similar to that of humans, a rich vocal repertoire, an auditory cortex that lies largely on the lateral surface of the cerebral cortex and a high reproductive rate while in captivity. In this application, we will focus on elucidating neural mechanisms underlying cortical representations of harmonicity and spatial location.
Aim 1 will study neural representations of harmonic structures in auditory cortex across the entire hearing frequency range of marmosets in both primary and non-primary auditory cortex.
Aim 2 will use intracellular recording and inactivation techniques to investigate cellular mechanisms underlying cortical representations of pitch and harmonicity.
Aim 3 will investigate neural representations of spatial location in marmoset auditory cortex using novel stimulation paradigms. Findings from the proposed study will shed light on neural mechanisms responsible for hearing and have implications for understanding how the auditory cortex operates in normal or diseased conditions.

Public Health Relevance

Understanding how the brain processes sounds is important to the well being of everyone in the society. Findings of the present study will contribute to our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying hearing in the brain. They will have important implications for understanding human speech processing mechanisms in both normal and pathological conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC003180-21
Application #
9198438
Study Section
Auditory System Study Section (AUD)
Program Officer
Poremba, Amy
Project Start
1997-01-01
Project End
2019-12-31
Budget Start
2017-01-01
Budget End
2017-12-31
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$440,026
Indirect Cost
$168,405
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21205
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