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Tectorial Membrane Traveling Waves Underlie Sharp Auditory Tuning in Humans.

ABSTRACT: Our ability to understand speech requires neural tuning with high frequency resolution, but the peripheral mechanisms underlying sharp tuning in humans remain unclear. Sharp tuning in genetically modified mice has been attributed to decreases in spread of excitation of tectorial membrane traveling waves. Here we show that the spread of excitation of tectorial membrane waves is similar in humans and mice, although the mechanical excitation spans fewer frequencies in humans-suggesting a possible mechanism for sharper tuning.

SUBMITTER: Farrahi S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5018139 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Tectorial Membrane Traveling Waves Underlie Sharp Auditory Tuning in Humans.

Farrahi Shirin S Ghaffari Roozbeh R Sellon Jonathan B JB Nakajima Hideko H HH Freeman Dennis M DM

Biophysical journal 20160818 5

Our ability to understand speech requires neural tuning with high frequency resolution, but the peripheral mechanisms underlying sharp tuning in humans remain unclear. Sharp tuning in genetically modified mice has been attributed to decreases in spread of excitation of tectorial membrane traveling waves. Here we show that the spread of excitation of tectorial membrane waves is similar in humans and mice, although the mechanical excitation spans fewer frequencies in humans-suggesting a possible m ...[more]

PMID: 27544000

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