Many of the computational principles for sound localization have emerged from the study of
avian brains, especially for the construction of codes for interaural timing differences. Our …

Sensory systems exploit parallel processing of stimulus features to enable rapid,
simultaneous extraction of information. Mechanisms that facilitate this differential extraction …

The cochlear nucleus angularis (NA) is widely assumed to form the starting point of a brain
stem pathway for processing sound intensity in birds. Details of its function are unclear …

Interaural time differences (ITDs) are a main cue for sound localization and sound
segregation. A dominant model to study ITD detection is the sound localization circuitry in …

Why is there more than one cochlear nucleus? By itself, characterization of differences in the
physiology and anatomy of different nuclei cannot answer the question. These differences …

The nature of the synaptic connection from the auditory nerve onto the cochlear nucleus
neurons has a profound impact on how sound information is transmitted. Short-term synaptic …

Third-order auditory neurons in the avian nucleus laminaris (NL) are the first to receive
binaural input. In the chick, NL consists of a monolayer of neurons with polarized dendritic …

Single neurons function along a spectrum of neuronal operating modes whose properties
determine how the output firing activity is generated from synaptic input. The auditory brain …

Our ability to detect subtle acoustic cues in noisy environments, like a conversation in a
crowded restaurant, is one benefit of binaural hearing. Binaural hearing is also essential for …

Sound information is encoded as a series of spikes of the auditory nerve fibers (ANFs), and
then transmitted to the brainstem auditory nuclei. Features such as timing and level are …