title: Spatial organization of frequency preference and selectivity in the human inferior colliculus.
abstract: To date, the functional organization of human auditory subcortical structures can only be inferred from animal models. Here we use high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging at ultra-high magnetic fields (7T) to map the organization of spectral responses in the human inferior colliculus, a subcortical structure fundamental for sound processing. We reveal a tonotopic map with a spatial gradient of preferred frequencies approximately oriented from dorsolateral (low frequencies) to ventromedial (high frequencies) locations. Furthermore, we observe a spatial organization of spectral selectivity (tuning) of functional magnetic resonance imaging responses in the human inferior colliculus. Along isofrequency contours, functional magnetic resonance imaging tuning is narrowest in central locations and broadest in the surrounding regions. Finally, by comparing subcortical and cortical auditory areas we show that functional magnetic resonance imaging tuning is narrower in human inferior colliculus than on the cortical surface. Our findings pave the way to noninvasive investigations of sound processing in human subcortical nuclei and for studying the interplay between subcortical and cortical neuronal populations.
authors: Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht 6229ER, The Netherlands. f.demartino@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: De Martino
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Moerel
authors: Pierre-Francois
authors: PF
authors: van de Moortele
authors: Kamil
authors: K
authors: Ugurbil
authors: Rainer
authors: R
authors: Goebel
authors: Essa
authors: E
authors: Yacoub
authors: Elia
authors: E
authors: Formisano
mesh_terms: D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013016:Sound