Mechanisms of Sound Localization in Two Functionally Distinct Regions of the Auditory Cortex.

Abstract

Unlike the visual and somatosensory systems, spatial information is not directly represented at the sensory receptor epithelium in the auditory system. Spatial locations are computed by integrating neural binaural properties and frequency-dependent pinna filtering, providing a useful model to study how neural properties and peripheral structures are adapted for sensory encoding. Although auditory cortex is necessary for sound localization, our understanding of how the cortex represents space remains rudimentary. Here we show that two functionally distinct regions of the pallid bat auditory cortex represent 2D space using different mechanisms. In addition, we suggest a novel hypothesis on how the nature of overlap between systematic maps of binaural and frequency selectivity leads to representation of both azimuth and elevation.