A signal of temporal integration in the human auditory brain: psychological insights, EEG evidence, and clinical application

• DOI: 10.1101/2024.12.02.626219
• Publication Date: 2024-12-03T03:26:41Z
• Authors: Haoxuan Xu; Qianyue Huang; Peirun Song; Yuying Zhai; Xinyu Du; Hangting Ye; Xuhui Bao; Ishrat Mehmood; Hisashi Tanigawa; Wanqiu Niu; Zhiyi Tu; Pei Chen; Tingting Zhang; Lingling Zhang; Xuan Zhao; Li Zhang; Wanshun Wen; Liyu Cao; Yu Xiongjie
• Keywords: Human brain; SIGNAL (programming language)

Temporal integration, the process by which auditory system combines sound information over a curtain period to form coherent object, is essential for perception, yet its neural mechanisms remain underexplored. We use "transitional click train" paradigm, concatenates two trains with slightly differing inter-click intervals (ICIs), investigate temporal integration in human cortex. Using 64-channel electroencephalogram (EEG), we recorded responses from 42 healthy participants exposed regular and irregular transitional conducted change detection tasks. Regular elicited significant cortex, indicative of whereas did not. These were modulated ICI length, contrast, regularity. Behavioral data mirrored EEG findings, showing enhanced conditions compared pure tones. Furthermore, variations associated decision-making processes. continuity was critical, as introducing gaps between diminished both behavioral responses. In clinical assessments, 22 coma patients exhibited or absent responses, effectively distinguishing them individuals. Our findings identify distinct markers highlight potential diagnostics.