Binaural organization of primary auditory cortex in the ferret (Mustela putorius). 1994

J B Kelly, and P W Judge
Psychology Department, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

1. The distribution of binaural responses within the ferret's primary auditory cortex was determined by standard microelectrode mapping techniques. Single and multiple unit responses were recorded from the middle ectosylvian gyrus of barbiturate-anesthetized animals with tungsten microelectrodes (1.2-1.8 M omega) inserted into the brain perpendicular to the cortical surface. The characteristic frequency (CF) and binaural response characteristics were determined for each point sampled. 2. Gated pure tones were delivered independently to the two ears through a sealed sound system, and binaural response types were determined by comparison of evoked activity for monaural and binaural stimulation. Most binaural responses fell into one of three major groups: binaural summation (EE/F), binaural suppression (EO/I), or mixed binaural summation and suppression. 3. The neurons tended to be grouped together on the basis of their binaural response properties. Zones of binaural summation and suppression extended across the surface of the middle ectosylvian gyrus and intersected with regions of sound frequency representation. 4. Particular attention was paid to the distribution of binaural responses within isofrequency contours in the ferret's primary auditory cortex (AI). Along the length of each isofrequency contour, areas of EE/F alternated with areas of EO/I. The summation areas were typically between 0.5 and 0.7 mm wide. Single neurons with mixed binaural response properties were frequently found between groups of EE/F and EO/I cells. The mixed responses appeared to mark a transition in location between zones of summation and suppression responses. 5. The distribution of interaural intensity difference (IID) thresholds was also examined along the length of isofrequency contours. No systematic relation was found between IID threshold and the distance along an isofrequency contour.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010897 Pitch Discrimination The ability to differentiate sound frequency or pitch. Discrimination, Pitch,Pitch Discriminations
D010898 Pitch Perception A dimension of auditory sensation varying with cycles per second of the sound stimulus. Perception, Pitch,Perceptions, Pitch,Pitch Perceptions
D001931 Brain Mapping Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D004292 Dominance, Cerebral Dominance of one cerebral hemisphere over the other in cerebral functions. Cerebral Dominance,Hemispheric Specialization,Dominances, Cerebral,Specialization, Hemispheric
D005289 Ferrets Semidomesticated variety of European polecat much used for hunting RODENTS and/or RABBITS and as a laboratory animal. It is in the subfamily Mustelinae, family MUSTELIDAE. Domestic Polecat,Domestic Polecats,European Polecat,European Polecats,Ferret,Mustela putorius,Mustela putorius furo,Polecat, Domestic,Polecat, European,Polecats, Domestic,Polecats, European
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001303 Auditory Cortex The region of the cerebral cortex that receives the auditory radiation from the MEDIAL GENICULATE BODY. Brodmann Area 41,Brodmann Area 42,Brodmann's Area 41,Heschl Gyrus,Heschl's Gyrus,Auditory Area,Heschl's Convolutions,Heschl's Gyri,Primary Auditory Cortex,Temporal Auditory Area,Transverse Temporal Gyri,Area 41, Brodmann,Area 41, Brodmann's,Area 42, Brodmann,Area, Auditory,Area, Temporal Auditory,Auditory Areas,Auditory Cortex, Primary,Brodmanns Area 41,Cortex, Auditory,Cortex, Primary Auditory,Gyrus, Heschl,Gyrus, Heschl's,Gyrus, Transverse Temporal,Heschl Convolutions,Heschl Gyri,Heschls Convolutions,Heschls Gyri,Heschls Gyrus,Primary Auditory Cortices,Temporal Auditory Areas,Temporal Gyrus, Transverse,Transverse Temporal Gyrus
D001306 Auditory Pathways NEURAL PATHWAYS and connections within the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, beginning at the hair cells of the ORGAN OF CORTI, continuing along the eighth cranial nerve, and terminating at the AUDITORY CORTEX. Auditory Pathway,Pathway, Auditory,Pathways, Auditory

Related Publications

J B Kelly, and P W Judge
December 2002, Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991),
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
June 1987, Journal of neurophysiology,
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
June 1989, Hearing research,
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
May 1994, Journal of neurophysiology,
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
January 2010, The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice,
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
June 2004, Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991),
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
August 2014, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
July 2014, Veterinary ophthalmology,
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
January 2004, The Journal of veterinary medical science,
J B Kelly, and P W Judge
February 1993, Journal of neurophysiology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!