# Sensory Prediction in the Auditory Cortex during Vocal Production

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $398,353

## Abstract

The overall objective of this research is to understand the role of sensory prediction in the auditory
cortex. The ability to predict the sensory consequences of one’s actions plays an important role in shaping
sensory coding and guiding behavior. In the auditory system, this prediction is used during vocal production,
allowing us to monitor feedback of the sound of our voice. However, the neural mechanisms of this auditory
self-monitoring are unknown. This proposal focuses on determining the mechanisms and neural circuits by
which sensory prediction changes sensory coding in the auditory cortex during vocalization, and the behavioral
role played by such predictions. We approach this using a novel vocal primate model, the marmoset monkey.
 Aim 1 focuses on the mechanisms of feedback encoding during vocalization, and tests the hypothesis
that sensory prediction shapes auditory cortex responses to calculate an error signal between vocal feedback
and the prediction. We record auditory cortex neurons in vocalizing marmosets while adjusting the frequency
content of their vocal feedback using frequency shifts of varying direction and magnitude to measure sensitivity
to feedback errors. To further investigate potential computational mechanisms by which sensory prediction
shapes feedback coding, we measure frequency tuning changes in auditory cortex during vocalization
compared to passive listening, and how these relate to predicted vocal acoustics.
 Aim 2 investigates the auditory cortical circuits involved in sensory prediction and feedback encoding,
testing the hypothesis that the dorsal auditory pathway exhibits greater feedback sensitivity than early auditory
cortex. We record responses to altered feedback during vocalization and compare responses between the
dorsal “where and how” pathway with primary auditory cortex (A1) and the ventral “what” pathway. We further
compare the strength of neural activity in predicting compensatory vocal changes during altered feedback.
These results have important implications for validating current models of functional specializations within
these higher-order auditory pathways.
 Aim 3 addresses the behavioral role of sensory prediction in auditory cortex, testing the hypothesis that
activity within the auditory cortex is necessary for feedback-dependent vocal control. We combine frequency-
shifted vocal feedback with pharmacologic inactivation of auditory cortex to determine if such manipulations
disrupt behavioral compensation. We further compare effects of inactivation between hemispheres and sites of
different frequency tuning. These experiments will demonstrate a causal role for the auditory cortex in
feedback self-monitoring and resulting vocal control.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10112223
- **Project number:** 5R01DC018525-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** STEVEN J ELIADES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $398,353
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-03-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10112223

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10112223, Sensory Prediction in the Auditory Cortex during Vocal Production (5R01DC018525-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10112223. Licensed CC0.

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