Auditory cortical neurons in the mouse have salient best azimuths

Abstract

Azimuth sensitivity of the primary auditory cortex in mammals is not well understood, and there is a debate as to whether the primary auditory cortex plays role in spatial hearing. We show for the first time, using single-unit recordings in the mouse primary auditory cortex, that auditory cortical neurons demonstrate a variety of azimuth-tuning functions and there are a majority of neurons showing salient best azimuths. The findings differ from those in the cat, ferret and monkey, and imply that there is some representation of auditory space in the mouse primary auditory cortex.