Interaction between descending and ascending pathways in the auditory system

Abstract

Inactivation of the AC resulted in changes in the latency and amplitude of some parts of click-evoked IC responses and in either an increase or decrease in the firing rate of IC neurons in comparison with normal control conditions. The interaction of ascending and descending pathways in the auditory system may contribute to better frequency tuning, suppression of non-relevant acoustical signals and concentration of our attention on specific signals (for example the voice of the speaker.