Humans mimicking animals: a cortical hierarchy for human vocal communication sounds.
Numerous species possess cortical regions that are most sensitive to vocalizations produced by their own kind (conspecifics). In humans, the superior temporal sulci (STSs) putatively represent homologous voice-sensitive areas of cortex. However, superior temporal sulcus (STS) regions have recently been reported to represent auditory experience or "expertise" in general rather than showing exclusive sensitivity to human vocalizations per se. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a unique non-stereotypical category of complex human non-verbal vocalizations-human-mimicked versions of animal vocalizations-we found a cortical hierarchy in humans optimized for processing meaningful conspecific utterances. This left-lateralized hierarchy originated near primary auditory cortices and progressed into traditional speech-sensitive areas. Our results suggest that the cortical regions supporting vocalization perception are initially organized by sensitivity to the human vocal tract in stages before the STS. Additionally, these findings have implications for the developmental time course of conspecific vocalization processing in humans as well as its evolutionary origins.
Center for Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Imaging, Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, USA.
William J
WJ
Talkington
Kristina M
KM
Rapuano
Laura A
LA
Hitt
Chris A
CA
Frum
James W
JW
Lewis
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003142:Communication; D019277:Entropy; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011601:Psychophysics; D013060:Speech; D014828:Vocalization, Animal; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen