DBBS Faculty Information Nobuo Suga, Ph.D. Professor Department of Biology Neurosciences Program Peripheral auditory neurons are tuned to single specific frequencies of sound. The mechanisms to create these had previously been considered to be solely due to divergent and convergent projections of neurons in the ascending auditory system. Egocentric selection based on highly focused positive feedback associated with widespread lateral inhibition is mediated by the cortical neural net working together with the corticofugal system.
Reorganization is based on egocentric selection working together with non-auditory systems.
Gain control based on overall excitatory or inhibitory corticofugal modulation. Egocentric selection can be viewed as selective gain control. Filter properties of neurons in the frequency, amplitude, time and spatial domains can be sharpened by the corticofugal system. My laboratory has been successfully exploring the functions of the corticofugal system in auditory signal processing. Suga N. Corticofugal amplification of facilitative auditory responses of subcortical combination-sensitive neurons in the mustached bat.