# Coding of auditory space in the avian brain

> **NIH NIH R01** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $430,771

## Abstract

Abstract
[This resubmitted project carries on the study of how auditory space is encoded in the barn owl's brain, with
the overarching goal of understanding the interplay between midbrain and forebrain neural populations
underlying discriminability and stimulus selection through auditory space. Behavioral spatial discrimination
assays will be used to test the hypothesis that spatial discriminability is optimized by a built-in representation of
natural cue statistics and in vivo recordings through multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) will be conducted in both
anesthetized and awake barn owls for investigating activity patterns of midbrain neural populations underlying
this effect (Aim 1). Population recordings in the midbrain space map, the hub of the midbrain stimulus selection
network, will be used to investigate the interplay of stimulus temporal dynamics and brain oscillations in the
coding of salient sounds across space (Aim 2). Simultaneous population recordings over brain regions will be
used to investigate the routing of neural activity between midbrain and forebrain underlying sound localization
(Aim 3). Recent findings by our group indicating commonalities of coding schemes across birds and mammals,
including humans, support the premise that investigating mechanisms underlying discriminability, stimulus
selection across space, and population-level midbrain and forebrain routing of activity, important open
questions in sound localization, will be of significance across species. The group has recently developed
multiunit recordings in awake animals, which will be used towards every specific aim.]
Towards Aim 1, we will investigate the relationship between spatial discriminability and a representation of
natural statistics of spatial cues, focusing on interaural time difference (ITD), a critical binaural cue for
determining the azimuth location of sounds across species. This aim will test a hypothesis, based on premises
supported by previous work from our group, that a built-in representation of natural ITD statistics, determined
by the acoustical properties of the head, exists in the brain and optimizes sound localization. Behavioral
studies will be conducted to assess spatial discriminability across frequency and space. MEAs will be used to
record activity of the midbrain map of auditory space and use decoding analyses to investigate properties of
population responses supporting the optimized discriminability pattern. [Recordings in awake birds will be used
as a control for the effect of anesthesia. Preliminary data show feasibility of recordings in awake animals and a
pattern of ITD discriminability across frequency and locations consistent with the hypothesis and properties of
midbrain population responses supporting feasibility of this approach.]
In Aim 2 we will scrutinize the midbrain stimulus selection network of barn owls on a population scale. Previous
work suggested a role of gamma oscillations in stimulus selection and recent studies b...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10313453
- **Project number:** 2R01DC007690-17A1
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jose L Pena
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $430,771
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2005-09-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10313453

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10313453, Coding of auditory space in the avian brain (2R01DC007690-17A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10313453. Licensed CC0.

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