Experience-dependent plastic reorganization of auditory cortex
In this narrated video we’re treated to a front row-seat perspective of the study of auditory cortex plasticity from neurobiologist Shaowen Bao. It’s a masterful illustration of how basic science performed, in this case in a rodent, can have broad relevance for understanding high-level human cognition and, potentially, disease. Regarding the former, for example, Dr. Bao illustrates how the neurophysiological and behavioral consequences of repeated exposure to a sound may help explain the well-known phenomenon of categorical perception of speech sounds, an ability that is crucial for understanding spoken language.
For more info/content, please visit: https://postlab.psych.wisc.edu/cog-ne...
Relevant papers:
Han, Y. K., Köver, H., Insanally, M. N., Semerdjian, J. H., & Bao, S. (2007). Early experience impairs perceptual discrimination. Nature neuroscience, 10(9), 1191.
Yang, S., Weiner, B. D., Zhang, L. S., Cho, S. J., & Bao, S. (2011). Homeostatic plasticity drives tinnitus perception in an animal model. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(36), 14974-14979.
Iverson, P., Kuhl, P. K., Akahane-Yamada, R., Diesch, E., Tohkura, Y. I., Kettermann, A., & Siebert, C. (2003). A perceptual interference account of acquisition difficulties for non-native phonemes. Cognition, 87(1), B47-B57.
Kim, H., & Bao, S. (2009). Selective increase in representations of sounds repeated at an ethological rate. Journal of Neuroscience, 29(16), 5163-5169.
Kim, H., Gibboni, R., Kirkhart, C., & Bao, S. (2013). Impaired critical period plasticity in primary auditory cortex of fragile X model mice. Journal of Neuroscience, 33(40), 15686-15692.