# Neural basis of vocal signal recognition during natural communication

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2022 · $335,750

## Abstract

Project Summary
Communication is an inherently interactive process involving the exchange of information between individuals.
For communication to occur, individuals must both recognize the sound as a social signal (e.g. vocalizations),
rather than another sound in the environment, as well as the relevant information encoded within the structure
of the signal, such as the caller's identity. Despite the relative ease with which the primate auditory system is
able to perform these computations, and evidence of vocal signal processing in primate cortex, relatively is
known about the neural mechanisms underlying recognition of these communication signals. The primary aim
of this proposal is to investigate the complementary roles of auditory and frontal cortex for vocal signal
recognition during natural communication. To investigate this process, we employ a multi-technique approach
aimed at elucidating the mechanisms underlying vocal signal recognition throughout the ventral auditory
cortical system during marmoset antiphonal conversations. Aim 1 utilizes neuroimaging (fMRI) to identify
vocalization responsive populations in the auditory and frontal cortex in awake subjects. The primary aim here
is to test whether particular areas of these substrates in the cortical auditory system and will serve as a
foundation for subsequent experiments in the proposal. Aim 2 builds on these findings to record the
neurophysiological characteristics of neurons in auditory and frontal cortex while freely-moving marmosets
engage in their naturally occurring antiphonal conversations. We employ a novel interactive playback
paradigm in which subjects directly engage in these vocal interactions with a software-generated `Virtual
Marmoset' (VM). Because the vocal behavior and signals of the VM can be experimentally manipulated, we
will use this paradigm to test the responses of neurons throughout these substrates for call recognition and
social recognition. Aim 3 utilizes optogenetic techniques to explicitly test the functional contributions of auditory
cortex for vocal signal recognition. We employ a novel, chronic optogenetic preparation developed in my
laboratory for marmosets to selectively photostimulate primary auditory cortex and the rostral belt region during
antiphonal conversations. Subjects will engage in the same VM paradigms used in Aim 2 during these
experiments to test the respective functional contributions of these substrates on call and social recognition
during natural communication.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10437642
- **Project number:** 5R01DC012087-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** CORY T MILLER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $335,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10437642

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10437642, Neural basis of vocal signal recognition during natural communication (5R01DC012087-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10437642. Licensed CC0.

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