title: Representation of amplitude modulation in the auditory cortex of the cat. I. The anterior auditory field (AAF).
abstract: The ability of cortical neurons to follow amplitude modulation (AM) of tones was examined in the anterior auditory cortical field (AAF) of anesthetized cats using multiple-unit recording techniques. Sinusoidal and rectangular modulations (100%) of a monaural carrier tone at the characteristic frequency of each location were presented to study the degree of response synchronization and changes in firing rate as a function of the modulation frequency. All investigated locations were tuned to a 'best modulation frequency' (BMF) as determined by synchronization measures. Almost all locations (94%) were tuned to a BMF as determined by spike rate. Maximal binaural-interaction strength was observed for modulation frequencies close to the BMF of neurons. For sinusoidal AM, a correlation (r = 0.63, P less than 0.01) between BMF and CF of neurons in AAF could be demonstrated for the synchronization of the response.
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002415:Cats; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D009433:Neural Inhibition; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010898:Pitch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000502:physiology*