Auditory-visual integration in fields of the auditory cortex.

Auditory-visual integration in fields of the auditory cortex.
Hear Res. 2017 Jan 20;:
Authors: Kubota M, Sugimoto S, Hosokawa Y, Ojima H, Horikawa J
Abstract
While multimodal interactions have been known to exist in the early sensory cortices, the response properties and spatiotemporal organization of these interactions are poorly understood. To elucidate the characteristics of multimodal sensory interactions in the cerebral cortex, neuronal responses to visual stimuli with or without auditory stimuli were investigated in core and belt fields of guinea pig auditory cortex using real-time optical imaging with a voltage-sensitive dye. On average, visual responses consisted of short excitation followed by long inhibition. Although visual responses were observed in core and belt fields, there were regional and temporal differences in responses. The most salient visual responses were observed in the caudal belt fields, especially posterior (P) and dorsocaudal belt (DCB) fields. Visual responses emerged first in fields P and DCB and then spread rostroventrally to core and ventrocaudal belt (VCB) fields. Absolute values of positive and negative peak amplitudes of visual responses were both larger in fields P and DCB than in core and VCB fields. When combined visual and auditory stimuli were applied, fields P and DCB were more inhibited than core and VCB fields beginning approximately 110 ms after stimuli. Correspondingly, differences betwe...

Source: Hearing Research - January 19, 2017 Category: Audiology Authors: Kubota M, Sugimoto S, Hosokawa Y, Ojima H, Horikawa J Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research