Inhibition of Auditory Neurons During Phonation: Evidence of Feed-Forward Mechanisms in Brain Processes Controlling Audio-Vocal Behavior?

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss the neuronal mechanisms of intraspecific communication, specifically, the interrelations between sensory and motor nervous structures. Such interrelations enable an individual to perform complex behavior which, in turn, often is a requirement for social communication. Various species exhibit complex patterns of acoustic communicative behavior which is reflected first of all in a very differentiated vocal repertoire. Squirrel monkeys possess such a well developed vocal repertoire and apply it extensively in their social communication. The present discussion is based on the assumption that complex acoustic communication requires interrelations between brain areas involved in motor processes, i.e., phonation, and brain areas involved in sensory processes, i.e., audition.