Distinct neuron populations for simple and compound calls in the primary auditory cortex of awake marmosets |
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Authors: | Huan-huan Zeng Jun-feng Huang Jun-ru Li Zhiming Shen Neng Gong Yun-qing Wen Liping Wang Mu-ming Poo |
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Institution: | Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China;University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100086, China |
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Abstract: | Marmosets are highly social non-human primates that live in families. They exhibit rich vocalization, but the neural basis underlying this complex vocal communication is largely unknown. Here we report the existence of specific neuron populations in marmoset A1 that respond selectively to distinct simple or compound calls made by conspecific marmosets. These neurons were spatially dispersed within A1 but distinct from those responsive to pure tones. Call-selective responses were markedly diminished when individual domains of the call were deleted or the domain sequence was altered, indicating the importance of the global rather than local spectral-temporal properties of the sound. Compound call-selective responses also disappeared when the sequence of the two simple-call components was reversed or their interval was extended beyond 1 s. Light anesthesia largely abolished call-selective responses. Our findings demonstrate extensive inhibitory and facilitatory interactions among call-evoked responses, and provide the basis for further study of circuit mechanisms underlying vocal communication in awake non-human primates. |
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Keywords: | marmoset calls calcium imaging awake marmosets primary auditory cortex vocal communication |
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