 |
Workshop on the Auditory Basis of Speech PerceptionKeele University, UK |
 |
|
Workshop on the Auditory Basis of Speech PerceptionKeele University, UK |
|
Analysis of cell classes as the functional units of the auditory system has established major auditory circuits originating in the cochlear nucleus of animals. Extending these investigations throughout the system will result in a comprehensive picture of its organization. Establishing characteristic physiological, morphological, and cyto-chemical traits of cell classes in animals permits one to analyze human tissue and infer functional properties of identified cell classes. When cell classes which have morphological and cytochemical traits that have been associated with given functional properties in animals can be identified in humans, the functional properties of these cells can be inferred in humans. Such cell classes can serve as compelling models of functional elements involved in speech processing. It seems clear that the human auditory brainstem contains fewer cell classes and nuclei than most small mammals due to humans' lack of systems that are specialized for processing high frequency sounds. An overview of our present knowledge of auditory neuronal circuits is presented with emphasis on circuits that are and are not common to humans and commonly used laboratory animals.
Bibliographic reference. Adams, Joe C. (1996): "Neural circuits in the human auditory brainstem", In ABSP-1996, 39-44.