Elevation Cues Research Articles

Auditory vertical localization in the median plane with conflicting dynamic interaural time difference and other elevation cues.

Both dynamic variation of interaural time difference (ITD) and static spectral cues provide information for front-back discrimination and vertical localization. However, the contributions of the two cues are still unclear. The static spectral cue has conventionally been regarded as the dominant one. In the present work, psychoacoustic experiments were conducted to examine the contribution of dynamic ITD and static spectral cues to vertical localization in the median plane. By modifying the head-related transfer functions used in a dynamic virtual auditory display, binaural signals with conflicting dynamic ITD and spectral cues that were either static or dynamically modified according to instantaneous head position were created. The results indicated that the dynamic ITD and static spectral cues contribute to vertical localization at low and high frequencies, respectively. For full a bandwidth stimulus, conflicting dynamic ITD and static spectral cues usually result in two separated virtual sources at different elevations corresponding to the spatial information conveyed by the low- and high-frequency bands, respectively. In most cases, no fused localization occurs in the high-level cognition system. Therefore, dynamic ITD and static spectral cues contribute to vertical localization at different frequency ranges, and neither of them dominates vertical localization in the case of wideband stimuli.

Prediction of Head Related Transfer Functions Using Machine Learning Approaches

The generation of a virtual, personal, auditory space to obtain a high-quality sound experience when using headphones is of great significance. Normally this experience is improved using personalized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) that depend on a large degree of personal anthropometric information on pinnae. Most of the studies focus their personal auditory optimization analysis on the study of amplitude versus frequency on HRTFs, mainly in the search for significant elevation cues of frequency maps. Therefore, knowing the HRTFs of each individual is of considerable help to improve sound quality. The following work proposes a methodology to model HRTFs according to the individual structure of pinnae using multilayer perceptron and linear regression techniques. It is proposed to generate several models that allow knowing HRTFs amplitude for each frequency based on the personal anthropometric data on pinnae, the azimuth angle, and the elevation of the sound source, thus predicting frequency magnitudes. Experiments show that the prediction of new personal HRTF generates low errors, thus this model can be applied to new heads with different pinnae characteristics with high confidence. Improving the results obtained with the standard KEMAR pinna, usually used in cases where there is a lack of information.

Is source elevation an auditory distance cue? A preliminary study.

The aim of this work was to evaluate whether the angular elevation of a sound source could generate auditory cues which improve the auditory distance perception in a similar way to that previously reported by visual modality. For this purpose, we compared ADP curves obtained with sources located both at the listeners' ears and at ground level. Our hypothesis was that the participants can interpret the relation between elevation and distance of ground-level sources (which are linked geometrically) so we expected them to perceive their distances more accurately than those at ear level. However, the responses obtained with sources located at ground level were almost identical to those obtained at the height of the listeners' ears, showing that, under the conditions of our experiment, auditory elevation cues do not influence auditory distance perception.

Medial Prefrontal Cortex Theta Burst Stimulation Improves Treatment Outcomes in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Neuroimaging Study

BackgroundAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with elevated brain response to cues. Recent studies have suggested that theta burst stimulation (TBS) to the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) can decrease reactivity to cues in a transdiagnostic manner. The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of continuous TBS as a tool to decrease drinking behavior and brain reactivity to alcohol cues among individuals with AUD. MethodsA total of 50 individuals with AUD were recruited from an intensive outpatient treatment program. Using a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled design, participants received 10 sessions of continuous TBS (left frontal pole, 1 session/10 days, 110% resting motor threshold, 3600 pulse/session, cue provocation before and during session). Brain reactivity to alcohol cues was acquired at four time points: at baseline and after all TBS sessions (1 month, 2 months, and 3 months). ResultsOverall, 80% of the participants completed all TBS sessions. Individuals who received real TBS were 2.71 times more likely to remain enrolled in the study after 3 months and 3.09 times more likely to remain sober 3 months after treatment initiation. Real TBS also led to a significantly greater reduction in brain reactivity to alcohol cues, specifically a reduction in MPFC-striatum and MPFC-insula connectivity 2 and 3 months after TBS treatment. ConclusionsTen days of MPFC TBS is well tolerated, reduces drinking, and decreases brain reactivity to alcohol cues for up to 3 months after treatment initiation. These results pave a critical next step in the path toward developing transcranial magnetic stimulation as an intervention for AUD and disorders associated with elevated cue reactivity.

Enabling visually impaired people to learn three-dimensional tactile graphics with a 3DOF haptic mouse

BackgroundIn this work, we present a novel sensory substitution system that enables to learn three dimensional digital information via touch when vision is unavailable. The system is based on a mouse-shaped device, designed to jointly perceive, with one finger only, local tactile height and inclination cues of arbitrary scalar fields. The device hosts a tactile actuator with three degrees of freedom: elevation, roll and pitch. The actuator approximates the tactile interaction with a plane tangential to the contact point between the finger and the field. Spatial information can therefore be mentally constructed by integrating local and global tactile cues: the actuator provides local cues, whereas proprioception associated with the mouse motion provides the global cues.MethodsThe efficacy of the system is measured by a virtual/real object-matching task. Twenty-four gender and age-matched participants (one blind and one blindfolded sighted group) matched a tactile dictionary of virtual objects with their 3D-printed solid version. The exploration of the virtual objects happened in three conditions, i.e., with isolated or combined height and inclination cues. We investigated the performance and the mental cost of approximating virtual objects in these tactile conditions.ResultsIn both groups, elevation and inclination cues were sufficient to recognize the tactile dictionary, but their combination worked at best. The presence of elevation decreased a subjective estimate of mental effort. Interestingly, only visually impaired participants were aware of their performance and were able to predict it.ConclusionsThe proposed technology could facilitate the learning of science, engineering and mathematics in absence of vision, being also an industrial low-cost solution to make graphical user interfaces accessible for people with vision loss.

Estimation of Spectral Notches From Pinna Meshes: Insights From a Simple Computational Model

While previous research on spatial sound perception investigated the physical mechanisms producing the most relevant elevation cues, how spectral notches are generated and related to the individual morphology of the human pinna is still a topic of debate. Correctly modeling these important elevation cues, and in particular the lowest frequency notches, is an essential step for individualizing Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs). In this paper we propose a simple computational model able to predict the center frequencies of pinna notches from ear meshes. We apply such a model to a highly controlled HRTF dataset built with the specific purpose of understanding the contribution of the pinna to the HRTF. Results show that the computational model is able to approximate the lowest frequency notch with improved accuracy with respect to other state-of-the-art methods. By contrast, the model fails to predict higher-order pinna notches correctly. The proposed approximation supplements understanding of the morphology involved in generating spectral notches in experimental HRTFs.

Suppressing images of desire: Neural correlates of chocolate-related thoughts in high and low trait chocolate cravers

Chocolate is the most often craved food in Western societies and many individuals try to resist its temptation due to weight concerns. Suppressing chocolate-related thoughts might, however, lead to paradoxical enhancements of these thoughts and this effect might be more pronounced in individuals with frequent chocolate cravings. In the current study, neural and cognitive correlates of chocolate thought suppression were investigated as a function of trait chocolate craving. Specifically, 20 high and 20 low trait chocolate cravers followed suppression vs. free thinking instructions after being exposed to chocolate and neutral images. Enhanced cue reactivity was evident in high trait chocolate cravers in that they reported more chocolate-related thoughts selectively after chocolate images compared to their low trait craving counterparts. This cue reactivity was mirrored neurally by higher activation in the ventral and dorsal striatum, demonstrating enhanced reward system activity. Unexpectedly, high trait chocolate cravers successfully reduced their elevated chocolate thoughts in the suppression condition. This lends support for the use of thought suppression as a means of regulating unwanted thoughts, cravings and imagery. Whether this thought manipulation is able to curb the elevated cue reactivity and the underlying reward sensitivity in chocolate cravers in applied settings remains to be shown.

Dopamine D2/3- and μ-opioid receptor antagonists reduce cue-induced responding and reward impulsivity in humans.

Increased responding to drug-associated stimuli (cue reactivity) and an inability to tolerate delayed gratification (reward impulsivity) have been implicated in the development and maintenance of drug addiction. Whereas data from animal studies suggest that both the dopamine and opioid system are involved in these two reward-related processes, their role in humans is less clear. Moreover, dopaminergic and opioidergic drugs have not been directly compared with regard to these functions, even though a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms might inform the development of specific treatments for elevated cue reactivity and reward impulsivity. In a randomized, double-blind, between-subject design we administered the selective dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist amisulpride (400 mg, n=41), the unspecific opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (50 mg, n=40) or placebo (n=40) to healthy humans and measured cue-induced responding with a Pavlovian-instrumental transfer task and reward impulsivity with a delay discounting task. Mood was assessed using a visual analogue scale. Compared with placebo, amisulpride significantly suppressed cue-induced responding and reward impulsivity. The effects of naltrexone were similar, although less pronounced. Both amisulpride and naltrexone decreased average mood ratings compared with placebo. Our results demonstrate that a selective blockade of dopamine D2/D3 receptors reduces cue-induced responding and reward impulsivity in healthy humans. Antagonizing μ-opioid receptors has similar effects for cue-induced responding and to a lesser extent for reward impulsivity.

Altered Brain Reactivity to Game Cues After Gaming Experience.

Individuals who play Internet games excessively show elevated brain reactivity to game-related cues. This study attempted to test whether this elevated cue reactivity observed in game players is a result of repeated exposure to Internet games. Healthy young adults without a history of excessively playing Internet games were recruited, and they were instructed to play an online Internet game for 2 hours/day for five consecutive weekdays. Two control groups were used: the drama group, which viewed a fantasy TV drama, and the no-exposure group, which received no systematic exposure. All participants performed a cue reactivity task with game, drama, and neutral cues in the brain scanner, both before and after the exposure sessions. The game group showed an increased reactivity to game cues in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). The degree of VLPFC activation increase was positively correlated with the self-reported increase in desire for the game. The drama group showed an increased cue reactivity in response to the presentation of drama cues in the caudate, posterior cingulate, and precuneus. The results indicate that exposure to either Internet games or TV dramas elevates the reactivity to visual cues associated with the particular exposure. The exact elevation patterns, however, appear to differ depending on the type of media experienced. How changes in each of the regions contribute to the progression to pathological craving warrants a future longitudinal study.

Climate change implications for the nest site selection process and subsequent hatching success of a green turtle population

Sandy beach habitat where sea turtles nest will be affected by multiple climate change impacts. Before these impacts occur, knowledge of how nest site selection and hatching success vary with beach microhabitats is needed to inform managers on how to protect suitable habitats and prepare for scientifically valid mitigation measures at beaches around the world. At a highly successful green turtle (Chelonia mydas) rookery at Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, we measured microhabitat characteristics along the beach crawl (rejected sites) and related nest site conditions (selected sites) to subsequent hatching success rates for 64 nesting events. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report environmental data along the nesting crawl for a green turtle population and the first to use natural breaks in the data to describe their preferred habitat ranges. Our results indicate that turtles were likely using a combination of cues to find nest sites, mainly higher elevations and lower sand surface temperatures (Kruskal-Wallis test, H = 19.84, p < 0.001; H = 10.78, p < 0.001). Hatching success was significantly and negatively correlated to sand temperature at cloaca depth (Spearman’s ρ = −0.27, p = 0.04). Indeed, the preferred range for cloaca sand temperatures at the nest site (26.3–27.5 °C) had significantly higher hatching success rates compared to the highest temperature range (Tukey HSD = 0.47, p = 0.05). Sand temperatures at various depths were intercorrelated, and surface and cloaca depth sand temperatures were correlated to air temperature (ρ = 0.70, p = 0.00; ρ = 0.26, p = 0.04). Therefore, rising air temperatures could alter sand temperature cues for suitable nest sites, preferred nest site ranges, and produce uneven sex ratios or lethal incubating temperatures. Elevation cues and preferred ranges (1.4–2.5 m) may also be affected by sea level rise, risking inundation of nests.

Segregating two simultaneous sounds in elevation using temporal envelope: Human psychophysics and a physiological model.

The ability to segregate simultaneous sound sources based on their spatial locations is an important aspect of auditory scene analysis. While the role of sound azimuth in segregation is well studied, the contribution of sound elevation remains unknown. Although previous studies in humans suggest that elevation cues alone are not sufficient to segregate simultaneous broadband sources, the current study demonstrates they can suffice. Listeners segregating a temporally modulated noise target from a simultaneous unmodulated noise distracter differing in elevation fall into two statistically distinct groups: one that identifies target direction accurately across a wide range of modulation frequencies (MF) and one that cannot identify target direction accurately and, on average, reports the opposite direction of the target for low MF. A non-spiking model of inferior colliculus neurons that process single-source elevation cues suggests that the performance of both listener groups at the population level can be accounted for by the balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs in the model. These results establish the potential for broadband elevation cues to contribute to the computations underlying sound source segregation and suggest a potential mechanism underlying this contribution.

Biosonar navigation above water I: estimating flight height.

Locomotion and foraging on the wing require precise navigation in more than just the horizontal plane. Navigation in three dimensions and, specifically, precise adjustment of flight height are essential for flying animals. Echolocating bats drink from water surfaces in flight, which requires an exceptionally precise vertical navigation. Here, we exploit this behavior in the bat, Phyllostomus discolor, to understand the biophysical and neural mechanisms that allow for sonar-guided navigation in the vertical plane. In a set of behavioral experiments, we show that for echolocating bats, adjustment of flight height depends on the tragus in their outer ears. Specifically, the tragus imposes elevation-specific spectral interference patterns on the echoes of the bats' sonar emissions. Head-related transfer functions of our bats show that these interference patterns are most conspicuous in the frequency range ∼55 kHz. This conspicuousness is faithfully preserved in the frequency tuning and spatial receptive fields of cortical single and multiunits recorded from anesthetized animals. In addition, we recorded vertical spatiotemporal response maps that describe neural tuning in elevation over time. One class of units that were very sharply tuned to frequencies ∼55 kHz showed unusual spatiotemporal response characteristics with a preference for paired echoes where especially the first echo originates from very low elevations. These behavioral and neural data provide the first insight into biosonar-based processing and perception of acoustic elevation cues that are essential for bats to navigate in three-dimensional space.

Combining High-Resolution Optical and InSAR Features for Height Estimation of Buildings With Flat Roofs

In this paper, we contribute to answer the question: How accurately can we estimate heights of buildings with flat roofs given one high-resolution single-pass interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) image pair and one aerial orthophoto? What makes this problem challenging are the different sensor geometries and the sound stochastic combination of all available elevation cues. We revisit already existing methods and develop novel approaches to determine building heights. A rigorous stochastic approach based on least squares adjustment with functionally dependent parameters is introduced to combine all height measurements per building to one robust height estimate. Observation accuracies of the stochastic model are either taken from the literature or estimated empirically. A major benefit of adjustment is that it delivers a posterior standard deviation per height, which can be interpreted as a precision indicator and is of high relevance for practical applications. Estimated heights of an urban scene are compared to ground truth acquired with airborne laser scanning, allowing us to assess height accuracies that can be achieved under nearly optimal conditions. We conduct statistical tests that validate our model and show that a weighted combination of optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data with least squares adjustment delivers reliable height estimates with meter accuracy for flat-roofed buildings. Additionally, we empirically estimate a confidence interval of the estimated heights that directly tells the user the security margin to be included, for example, in case of building evacuations for an anticipated flooding event, under the condition that the data and model have the same specifications as in this paper.

Internalized elevation perception of simple stimuli in cochlear-implant and normal-hearing listeners.

In normal-hearing (NH) listeners, elevation perception is produced by the spectral cues imposed by the pinna, head, and torso. Elevation perception in cochlear-implant (CI) listeners appears to be non-existent; this may be a result of poorly encoded spectral cues. In this study, an analog of elevation perception was investigated by having 15 CI and 8 NH listeners report the intracranial location of spectrally simple signals (single-electrode or bandlimited acoustic stimuli, respectively) in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Thirteen CI listeners and all of the NH listeners showed an association between place of stimulation (i.e., stimulus frequency) and perceived elevation, generally responding with higher elevations for more basal stimulation. This association persisted in the presence of a randomized temporal pitch, suggesting that listeners were not associating pitch with elevation. These data provide evidence that CI listeners might perceive changes in elevation if they were presented stimuli with sufficiently salient elevation cues.

Maladaptive cortical serotonin (5-ht) 5-ht2a:5-ht2c receptor balance generates aberrant impulsivity and elevated cocaine cue reactivity

Maladaptive cortical serotonin (5-ht) 5-ht2a:5-ht2c receptor balance generates aberrant impulsivity and elevated cocaine cue reactivity

Early drop-out: An indication of treatment success or difficulties?

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 140 (2014) e2–e85 e5 Results: High impulsive rats exhibit a higher 5-HT2AR0:5HT2CR protein ratio in synaptosomes frommPFC vs. low impulsive rats (p<0.05). Rats with a knockdown of 5-HT2CR in the mPFC expressed significantly elevated impulsive action relative to control rats (p<0.05) and enhancedpotency of the 5-HT2AR antagonist M100907 to suppress impulsive action (p<0.05). In rats trained to SA cocaine (0.75mg/kg/inf; FR5; 14 days) and then assessed for cue reactivity on FADay 1 or FADay 30, we observed elevated cue reactivity and a late-forming increase in the 5-HT2AR:5-HT2CR mPFC synaptosomal protein ratio at FA Day 30 (p<0.05). Conclusions: These data indicate that there is a reciprocal or interactive relationship between 5-HT2AR and 5-HT2CR, notably in mPFC, that is key in expression of these phenotypes, and that a 5-HT2AR:5-HT2CR imbalance may be a functionally-relevant mechanism underlying impulsivity and cue reactivity. Financial support: DA06511, DA024157, DA000403. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.034 Novel association of amgydala prodynorphin with addiction and negative affect-related neurocircuitry Sarah Ann R. Anderson1, M. Michaelides1, J. Neumaier2, M. Bannon3, Yasmin L. Hurd1 1 Pharmacology, MSSM, New York, NY, United States 2 Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States 3 Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI,

Lower Serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) associates with elevated cue reactivity following extended forced abstinence from cocaine-taking

Lower Serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) associates with elevated cue reactivity following extended forced abstinence from cocaine-taking

A systematic review of studies exploring craving, its moderators, and the link with substance use in daily life using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 140 (2014) e169–e251 e221 nence. While it is unclear whether these differences were due to improved attention, these results suggest that IB may help to improve cognitive function in early MA withdrawal. Data provide some support for developing MA treatments that reduce cognitive impairment. Financial support: National Institute on Drug Abuse (1R01DA029804; S. Shoptaw); National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR000124; S. Dubinett). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.612 A systematic review of studies exploring craving, its moderators, and the link with substance use in daily life using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) J. Swendsen2, F. Serre1,3, M. Fatseas1,3, Marc Auriacombe1,3 1 Addiction Psychiatry, University Bordeaux/CNRS USR 3413, Bordeaux, France 2 CNRS UMR 5287 INCIA, University Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France 3 CH Ch. Perrens et CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France Aims: Studies examining the link between craving and substance use have often revealed contradictory results. Ecological MomentaryAssessment (EMA) is amethodparticularlywell-suited to assess subjective variables and episodic events in daily life, and it offers a new opportunity to examine questions concerning craving with high ecological validity. The objective of this systematic review was to examine all published studies using EMA to: (1) examine the temporal link between craving and substance use, and (2) identify relevant moderators of craving intensity among substance users. Methods: The literature searchusedMedlineup to July31, 2012, and was based on a systematic review methodology. Results: Fifty-seven studies were selected, of which most concerned tobacco or alcohol. The majority of studies (91%) reported a positive relationship between craving and substance use, both concurrently and prospectively, within preand post-quit periods, among users with different levels of use, and for both legal and illegal substances. EMA data also confirmed the influence of intra-individual variables (negative affects, social contexts, other substance use) and inter-individual variables (age, level of use) in daily life craving reports Conclusions: This review of EMA investigations demonstrates a strong link between craving and substance use, and underscores the importance of taking into account temporal and contextual considerations in the assessment of this relationship. Financial support: PHRC 2006, MILDT 2010, CRA 2009, PRACNRS-CHU 2008, CNRS ATIP. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.613 Lower Serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) associates with elevated cue reactivity following extended forced abstinence from cocaine-taking Sarah E. Swinford, Noelle C. Anastasio, R.G. Fox, S.J. Stutz, K.A. Cunningham Ctr Addiction Res, UTMB, Galveston, TX, United

Epigenetic and pharmacological regulation of 5HT3 receptors controls compulsive ethanol seeking in mice.

Factors underlying individual vulnerability to develop alcoholism are largely unknown. In humans, the risk for alcoholism is associated with elevated cue reactivity. Recent evidence suggests that in animal models, reactivity to reward-paired cues is predictive of addictive behaviors. To model cue reactivity in mice, we used a Pavlovian approach (PA) paradigm in which mice were trained to associate a cue with delivery of a food reinforcer. We then investigated the relationship between PA status with habitual and compulsive-like ethanol seeking. After training mice to respond for 10% ethanol, habitual behavior was investigated using both an outcome devaluation paradigm, in which ethanol was devalued via association with lithium chloride-induced malaise, and a contingency degradation paradigm in which the relationship between action and outcome was disrupted. Compulsive-like behavior was investigated in a modified conditioned place preference paradigm in which footshock was paired with the reward-paired chamber. PA was found to be predictive of habitual and compulsive-like ethanol seeking. Additionally, innate risk status was related to epigenetic changes in the gene encoding the requisite subunit of the 5HT3 receptor, Htr3a, as well as 5HT3A protein expression in the amygdala. We then used pharmacological tools to demonstrate that risk status determines the ability of a 5HT3 antagonist to reduce compulsive ethanol seeking. These data indicate that risk status can be identified prior to any alcohol exposure by assessment of cue reactivity, and further that this endophenotype may be predictive of response to pharmacological treatment for components of alcoholism.

Listening in the dark: Congenital and early blindness and cross-domain mappings in music.

We examine how individuals who are congenitally or early blind (CEB), as compared with sighted individuals, associate musical parameters with nonauditory domains. Exp1 (modeled after Eitan & Granot, 2006) investigated how participants associate pitch direction, loudness change and tempo change with motion features. In Exp2 (modeled after Eitan & Timmers, 2010), participants rated appropriateness of 10 antonyms as metaphors for two musical segments contrasting in pitch height. Most CEB's mappings of auditory parameters did not differ from those of the sighted. Notably, this included even the mapping of pitch onto visually based dimensions (e.g., lightness). This notwithstanding, CEB's mappings of musical parameters onto motion (Exp1) were distinct in several ways. First, distance change (particularly approach) was associated by CEB with tempo and pitch change, in addition to loudness. Second, and most surprisingly, the prevalent mapping of pitch direction and vertical motion was lacking among CEB (Exp1). The latter finding suggests that the elevation mapping for auditory pitch may be inherently associated with sight, perhaps stemming from early learning of spectral pinna-based elevation cues using audiovisual information.Keywords: cross-domain mappings, metaphor, congenital blindness, motion imagery, pitchSupplemental materials: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0028939.suppCross-Domain Mappings of SoundWe can hardly refer to musical sound-indeed, to any sound- without using terms derived from nonauditory domains. In a va- riety of languages, even the most basic terms for auditory dimen- sions use cross-domain mappings. We speak of pitch in terms of spatial height (high and low, or rising and falling mel- ody), of sound quality in visual (bright/dark) or tactile (rough/ smooth) terms, and of musical rhythm in terms of motion (fast/ slow, andante) weight (light-footed/heavy) or tactile qualities (smooth, jagged).While cross-domain mappings for sound and music pervade language, their effect surpasses language use per se. A host of empirical work indicates that mappings of auditory dimensions into vision, motion, and touch are not merely habitual figures of speech but rather strongly (and often subconsciously) affect cog- nition, perception, and action (for surveys of relevant empirical literature see, e.g., Eitan, in press; Marks, 1996, 2000, 2004; Spence, 2011). Particularly manifest are mappings of auditory and spatiotemporal dimensions; indeed, recent findings suggest that musical and spatiotemporal abilities are inherently associated (Douglas & Bilkey, 2007). The association of pitch and spatial height, for instance, has been shown to influence the actual per- ception of pitch location (higher pitches are indeed perceived as higher in space; Bregman & Steiger, 1980; Pratt, 1930; Roffler & Butler, 1968; Timble, 1934) and significantly affects performance (response time and error rates) in speeded discrimination experi- ments involving audio-visual stimuli (Ben-Artzi & Marks, 1995; Bernstein & Edelstein,1971; Melara & O'Brien, 1987). Moreover, this association has been demonstrated (using the head-turn para- digm) for preverbal infants (Wagner, Winner, Cicchetti, & Gard- ner, 1981; Walker, Brenner, Spring, Masttock, Slater, & Johnson, 2010). Findings suggesting early and deeply rooted cross-modal mappings of sound were reported for other dimensions as well, such as loudness and brightness (Lewkowicz & Turkewitz, 1980), pitch and sharpness (Walker et al., 2010), and pitch and visual lightness-an association which also was reported for nonhuman primates (Ludwig, Adachi, & Matsuzawa, 2011). In adults, robust cross-domain mappings for sound, independent of acquired lan- guage usage, have been demonstrated, among others, by Eitan and Timmers (2010), who revealed that listeners are in near-consensus on the application of a variety of metaphors to musical pitch, though most of these metaphors were not a part of their explicit lexicon. …