Feature-Dependent Sensitive Periods in the Development of Complex Sound Representation

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5311-08.2009
• Publication Date: 2009-04-29T17:24:26Z
• Authors: Michele N. Insanally; Hania Köver; Heesoo Kim; Shaowen Bao
• Keywords: Representation; Cortical neurons

Simple tonal stimuli can shape spectral tuning of cortical neurons during an early epoch brain development. The effects complex sound experience on development remain to be determined. We exposed rat pups a frequency-modulated (FM) sweep in different time windows development, and examined the such sensory representations primary auditory cortex (AI). found that exposure FM resulted altered characteristic frequency broadened AI neurons, whereas later same only led greater selectivity for rate direction experienced sound. These results indicate acoustic features are shaped by sounds series distinct sensitive periods.