The Auditory Thalamus in Bats

摘要: During the past several years, studies of auditory cortex in bats have revealed striking examples functional specializations analysis biosonar pulses and echoes (see O’Neill, Chapter 9). By means sharp timing or frequency selectivities, some bat cortical neurons encode particular features sonar targets, these are mapped across surface. Target range is one such feature. Much signals may depend on neural interactions that occur medial geniculate body (MGB), thalamic relay ascending pathway to cortex. For example, combination-sensitive neurons, selective for combinations spectrally temporally distinct signal elements pulse echo, been well described regions cortex; physiological suggest responses be created (Olsen Suga 1991a,b). Thus, thalamus provide new insights into processing complex sounds, as furthering our understanding mechanisms animals.