Perception of sound-source motion by the human brain

Neuron. 2002 Mar 28;34(1):139-48. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)00637-2.

Abstract

We assessed the human brain network for sound-motion processing using the same virtual stimulus in three independent functional imaging experiments. All experiments show a bilateral posterior network of activation, including planum temporale (PT) and parieto-temporal operculum (PTO). This was demonstrated in contrasts between sound movement and two control conditions: externalized stationary stimuli (in the midline or to the side of the head) and midline sounds within the head with similar spectro-temporal structure. We suggest specific computational mechanisms in PT for disambiguation of the intrinsic spectro-temporal features of a sound and the spectro-temporal effect of sound movement. The results support the existence of a posteriorly directed temporo-parietal pathway for obligatory perceptual processing of sound-source motion.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Motion Perception / physiology*
  • Sound Localization / physiology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods