Symbolic Systems Forum - Nadine Gaab, Psychology Department

Nadine Gaab, Psychology Department, "fMRI and the Auditory Cortex"

ABSTRACT:

Auditory tasks in the fMRI environment are challenging because of the loud

noise created by the switching of the gradient coils every time the MR

signal is read out. This noise may (1) interfere with auditory

perception/stimulation and (2) modify the attentional load and as such

influence auditory processing especially in children and patients. I will

present the broad characteristics of the human auditory system and the

challenges of conducting auditory experiments in the MRI scanner.

Furthermore. I will show some new data on auditory spectro-temporal

processing in musicians and nonmusicians and its possible relation to

language perception.