Of particular interest are neural structures in the auditory brainstem and forebrain that contribute to the perception of sound and the ability to determine the location of a sound in space. Current projects involve the superior olivary complex, the lateral lemniscus and the auditory cortex. Also, neural processes that contribute to the perception of complex sounds such as speech or animal vocalizations are of interest. Neurophysiological, neuroanatomical and behavioral techniques are used to determine the role of central auditory structures in hearing and to investigate the limits of auditory perception and the origin of central auditory processing disorders.
Research is done with both human and non-human subjects.
S.A. Monaural and binaural properties of single neurons in the rat's dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus. Kelly, J.B., Liscum, A., van Adel, B. and Ito, M. Projections from the superior olive and lateral lemniscus to tonotopic regions of the rat's inferior colliculus. Zhang, D.X., Li, L., Kelly, J.B. and Wu, S.H. GABAergic projections from the lateral lemniscus to the inferior colliculus of the rat. J.B. Sound localization after transection of the commissure of the Probst in the albino rat. Kelly, J.B., Li, L. and Van Adel, B. Sound localization after kainic acid lesions of the dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus in the albino rat.