tuned neural resonance

[Martin Braun <nombraun@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peter Cariani wrote:

"........we need something more like an autocorrelator rather than an
envelope or MTF-based analyzer. This would mean either comb filter rate
tunings or all-order intervals. All-order intervals related to pitch are
everywhere, and comb filter rate tunings are almost nowhere to be
found."

Answer:

I assume that "comb filter rate tunings" were intended to mean frequency
selectivity by tuned neural resonance. If this is true, Peter's "almost" can
be made a bit clearer.

There are three important papers on this issue.

One paper indicates by the single neuron data that the filtering of
modulation frequency is effected by intrinsic neural tuning.

     Langner, G., Schreiner, C.E. and Merzenich, M.M. (1987) Covariation of
latency and temporal resolution in the inferior colliculus of the cat. Hear.
Res. 31, 197-201.


Two papers show by the single neuron data that intrinsically tuned neurons
exist in the midbrain of birds and mammals, whose equivalents in humans
would cover the complete f0 range of speech.

     Schwarz, D.W.F., Dezsö, A. and Neufeld, P.R. (1993) Frequency
selectivity of central auditory neurons without inner ear. Acta Otolaryngol.
(Stockh.) 113, 266-270.

     Rees, A. and Sarbaz, A. (1997) The influence of intrinsic oscillations
on the encoding of amplitude modulation by neurons in the inferior
colliculus. In: J. Syka (Ed.), Acoustic Signal Processing in the Central
Auditory System, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 239-252.


The main results of these papers concerning tuned neural resonance are also
reviewed in detail in Braun (1999), see ref. in letter to list on Oct. 21.


Martin


Martin Braun
Neuroscience of Music
Gansbyn 14
S-671 95 Klässbol
Sweden
nombraun@post.netlink.se