title: Spectral integration in auditory cortex: mechanisms and modulation.
abstract: Auditory cortex contributes to the processing and perception of spectrotemporally complex stimuli. However, the mechanisms by which this is accomplished are not well understood. In this review, we examine evidence that single cortical neurons receive input covering much of the audible spectrum. We then propose an anatomical framework by which spectral information converges on single neurons in primary auditory cortex, via a combination of thalamocortical and intracortical "horizontal" pathways. By its nature, the framework confers sensitivity to specific, spectrotemporally complex stimuli. Finally, to address how spectral integration can be regulated, we show how one neuromodulator, acetylcholine, could act within the hypothesized framework to alter integration in single neurons. The results of these studies promote a cellular understanding of information processing in auditory cortex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, 2205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-4550, United States. rmethera@uci.edu
authors.forename: Raju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Metherate
authors.forename: Simranjit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000109:Acetylcholine