Alpha‐Band Brain Activity Shapes Online Perceptual Learning of Concurrent Speech Differentially in Musicians vs. Nonmusicians

European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 61(9)

Published: April 28, 2025

ABSTRACT Plasticity from auditory experience shapes the brain's encoding and perception of sound. Though stronger neural entrainment (i.e., brain‐to‐acoustic synchronization) aids speech perception, underlying oscillatory activity may uniquely interact with long‐term experiences music training) short‐term plasticity during concurrent perception. Here, we explored rapid perceptual learning sounds in normal‐hearing young adults who differed their amount self‐reported training (defined as “musicians” “nonmusicians”). Participants learned to identify double‐vowel mixtures ~45 min sessions high‐density EEG recordings. We analyzed alpha‐band power (7–12 Hz) following a rhythmic speech‐stimulus train (~9 preceding behavioral identification determine whether increased (brain‐to‐speech entrainment) or decreased alpha (alpha‐band suppression) corresponded task success. Source directed functional connectivity analyses data probed behavior was driven by group differences auditory‐motor coupling. Both groups improved training. Listeners' prior target predicted performance; surprisingly, oscillations were observed incorrect compared correct trial responses. also found stark hemispheric biases coupling, greater right left hemisphere for musicians (R > L) but not nonmusicians = L). Stronger responses supports notion that (~10 suppression is an important modulator trial‐by‐trial success processing. Our findings suggest impact

Language: Английский

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Myogenic artifacts masquerade as neuroplasticity in the auditory frequency-following response

Frontiers in Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18

Published: July 8, 2024

The frequency-following response (FFR) is an evoked potential that provides a neural index of complex sound encoding in the brain. FFRs have been widely used to characterize speech and music processing, experience-dependent neuroplasticity (e.g., learning musicianship), biomarkers for hearing language-based disorders distort receptive communication abilities. It assumed stem from mixture phase-locked neurogenic activity brainstem cortical structures along neuraxis. In this study, we challenge prevailing view by demonstrating upwards ~50% FFR can originate unexpected myogenic source: contamination postauricular muscle (PAM) vestigial startle reflex. We measured PAM, transient auditory responses (ABRs), sustained potentials reflecting (ABR/FFR) young, normal-hearing listeners with varying degrees musical training. first establish PAM artifact present all ears, varies electrode proximity muscle, be experimentally manipulated directing listeners' eye gaze toward ear stimulation. then show muscular noise easily confounds FFRs, spuriously amplifying 3–4-fold tandem contraction even explaining putative enhancements observed highly skilled musicians. Our findings expose new unrecognized source drives its large inter-subject variability cast doubt on whether changes typically attributed neuroplasticity/pathology are solely brain origin.

Language: Английский

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Our brains sense the future through a new quantum-like implicit learning mechanism

Brain Research Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 216, P. 111048 - 111048

Published: Aug. 10, 2024

Imagine if our brains could unconsciously predict future events. This study explores this concept, presenting evidence for an inherent 'foreseeing' ability, termed anomalous cognition (AC). We introduce a new experimentally verifiable approach to explain information anticipation (AIA), type of AC, based on innovative, quantum-like model implicit learning, grounded in Nonlocal Plasticity Theory (NPT).

Language: Английский

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Hearing in categories and speech perception at the “cocktail party”

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. e0318600 - e0318600

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

We aimed to test whether hearing speech in phonetic categories (as opposed a continuous/gradient fashion) affords benefits “cocktail party” perception. measured perception performance (recognition, localization, and source monitoring) simulated 3D cocktail party environment. manipulated task difficulty by varying the number of additional maskers presented at other spatial locations horizontal soundfield (1–4 talkers) via forward vs. time-reversed maskers, latter promoting release from masking. In separate tasks, we isolated phoneme categorization using two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) visual analog scaling (VAS) tasks designed promote more/less categorical thus putative links between real-world speech-in-noise skills. first show recognition accuracy speed decline with competing talkers amidst compared reverse maskers. Dividing listeners into “discrete” “continuous” categorizers based on their VAS labeling (i.e., responses were binary or continuous judgments), then degree masking experienced is predicted categoricity not high-frequency audiometric thresholds; more discrete make less effective use time-reversal than gradient responding peers. Our results suggest link skills processing, (rather discrete) listening strategy benefiting degraded These findings that flexibility binning sounds may be one factor contributes figure-ground deficits.

Language: Английский

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Perceptual Learning and Video Game Training for Adults with Monocular Amblyopia

Ophthalmology and Therapy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 27, 2025

Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reduction in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effectiveness of perceptual learning and video game training for adults with amblyopia. Following Cochrane guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42024504502), we conducted systematic search across multiple databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on amblyopia receiving behavioral therapies were included. Data interventions, sample size, logMAR extracted analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 Stata 17.0. A total 6439 studies identified, 22 meeting inclusion criteria after screening. The included 422 adult patients these studies. Quality assessment revealed that 78% had low risk bias. analysis showed statistically significant standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.68 experimental group compared controls, indicating an improvement (P < 0.05). Subgroup analyses indicated also resulted In addition, results dichoptic or monocular training, reaching These findings indicate targeted facilitates neural plasticity, reduces interocular suppression, reinforces pathways associated processing. While game-based interventions represent viable engaging rehabilitation strategy, combined approach may be most effective enhancing binocular functions. Future research should focus refining protocols enhance both function more effectively.

Language: Английский

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Objective Detection of Auditory Steady-State Responses (ASSRs) Based on Mutual Information: Receiver Operating Characteristics and Performance Across Modulation Rates and Levels

Audiology Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 60 - 60

Published: May 15, 2025

Background: Auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) are sustained potentials used to assess the physiological integrity of auditory pathway and objectively estimate hearing thresholds. ASSRs typically analyzed using statistical procedures remove subjective bias human operators. Knowing when terminate signal averaging in ASSR testing is critical for making efficient clinical decisions obtaining high-quality data empirical research. Here, we report on stimulus-specific (frequency, level) properties operating ranges a novel detection metric based mutual information (MI). Methods: were measured n = 10 normal-hearing listeners exposed various stimuli varying modulation rate (40, 80 Hz) level (80-20 dB SPL). Results: MI-based classifiers applied recordings showed that accuracy ranged from ~75 99% was better 40 compared Hz higher lower stimulus levels. Receiver characteristics (ROCs) establish normative MI reliable across levels rates (MI 0.9-1.6). Relative current statistics identification (F-test), more determining stopping criterion averaging. Conclusions: Our results confirm can be broad range might offer improvements conventional objective techniques detection.

Language: Английский

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Hearing in categories aids speech streaming at the “cocktail party”

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 5, 2024

Abstract Our perceptual system bins elements of the speech signal into categories to make perception manageable. Here, we aimed test whether hearing in (as opposed a continuous/gradient fashion) affords yet another benefit recognition: parsing noisy at “cocktail party.” We measured recognition simulated 3D cocktail party environment. manipulated task difficulty by varying number additional maskers presented other spatial locations horizontal soundfield (1-4 talkers) and via forward vs. time-reversed maskers, promoting more less informational masking (IM), respectively. In separate tasks, isolated phoneme categorization using two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) visual analog scaling (VAS) tasks designed promote more/less categorical thus putative links between real-world speech-in-noise skills. first show that listeners can only monitor up ∼3 talkers despite 5 soundscape streaming is not related extended high-frequency thresholds (though QuickSIN scores are). then confirm accuracy speed decline with competing amidst compared reverse added IM. Dividing “discrete” “continuous” categorizers based on their VAS labeling (i.e., responses were binary or continuous judgments), degree IM experienced predicted categoricity labeling; discrete are susceptible than gradient responding peers. results establish link skills processing, (rather gradient) listening strategy benefiting degraded perception. These findings imply figure-ground deficits common many disorders might arise through surprisingly simple mechanism: failure properly bin sounds categories.

Language: Английский

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Neural correlates of flexible sound perception in the auditory midbrain and thalamus

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 12, 2024

Hearing is an active process in which listeners must detect and identify sounds, segregate discriminate stimulus features, extract their behavioral relevance. Adaptive changes sound detection can emerge rapidly, during sudden shifts acoustic or environmental context, more slowly as a result of practice. Although we know that context- learning-dependent the spectral temporal sensitivity auditory cortical neurons support many aspects flexible listening, contribution subcortical regions to this less understood. Here, recorded single- multi-unit activity from central nucleus inferior colliculus (ICC) ventral subdivision medial geniculate (MGV) Mongolian gerbils under two different contexts: animals performed amplitude modulation (AM) task they were passively exposed AM sounds. Using signal framework estimate neurometric sensitivity, found neural thresholds both improved performance, improvement was driven by firing rate rather than phase locking. We also ICC MGV correlated with performance learn small depths multi-day perceptual training paradigm. Finally, reveal MGV, but not ICC, context-dependent enhancements grow stronger training, mirroring prior observations cortex. Together, our results suggest midbrain thalamus contribute processing perception over rapid slow timescales.

Language: Английский

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The auditory P2 is influenced by pitch changes but not pitch strength and consists of two separate subcomponents

Imaging Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2, P. 1 - 16

Published: April 23, 2024

Abstract The P2 component of the auditory evoked potential has previously been shown to depend on acoustic stimulus properties and prior exposure materials. Here, we show that it is also affected by changes, as amplitudes were strongly enhanced in response voice pitch changes with a stepwise pattern compared dynamic typical for natural speech, reflected magnitude these changes. Furthermore, demonstrated neither nor any other harmonicity Despite no weaker pitch, artificially created inharmonic versions materials elicited similar activity throughout cortex. This suggests so-called harmonic template neurons observed animal studies are either absent or do not exist sufficient number human cortex detect their extracranially. Crucially, morphology well scalp maps source reconstructions EEG data showed appears consist two separate subcomponents. While “P2a” was localised cortex, subsequent “P2b” included generators spread across association areas. subcomponents thus likely reflect processing at different stages pathway.

Language: Английский

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Neural correlates of phonetic categorization under auditory (phoneme) and visual (grapheme) modalities

Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 565, P. 182 - 191

Published: Dec. 2, 2024

Language: Английский

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