Topographic Mapping of a Hierarchy of Temporal Receptive Windows Using a Narrated Story

摘要: Real-life activities, such as watching a movie or engaging in conversation, unfold over many minutes. In the course of brain has to integrate information multiple time scales. We recently proposed that uses similar strategies for integrating across space and time. Drawing parallel with spatial receptive fields, we defined temporal window (TRW) cortical microcircuit length before response during which sensory may affect response. Our previous findings visual system are consistent hypothesis TRWs become larger when moving from low-level high-level perceptual cognitive areas. this study, mapped auditory language areas by measuring fMRI activity subjects listening real-life story scrambled at scales words, sentences, paragraphs. results revealed hierarchical topography TRWs. early cortices (A1+), responses were driven mainly momentary incoming input similarly reliable all scrambling conditions. an intermediate TRW, coherent sentence scale longer was necessary evoke responses. At apex TRW hierarchy, found parietal frontal responded reliably only intact paragraphs heard meaningful sequence. These suggest processing is functional property provide general organizing principle human cerebral cortex.