Your MNTlogin | registerhomeopinions forumcontact usnews categories:a - b Abortion Acid Reflux / GERD ADHD Aid / Disasters Alcohol / Addiction / Drugs Allergy Alternative Medicine Alzheimer's / Dementia Anxiety / Stress Arthritis / Rheumatology Asbestos / Mesothelioma Asthma Autism Back Pain Bio-terrorism / Terrorism Biology / Biochemistry Bipolar Bird Flu / Avian Flu Blood / Hematology Body Aches Bones / Orthopaedics Breast Cancer c - d Cancer / Oncology Cardiovascular / Cardiology Caregivers / Homecare Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine Cholesterol CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease Cleft Palate Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Colorectal Cancer Complementary Medicine Compliance Conferences COPD Cosmetic Medicine Crohn's Cystic Fibrosis Dentistry Depression Dermatology Diabetes Drug Approvals Dyslexia e - g Ear, Nose and Throat Eating Disorders Eczema / Psoriasis Endocrinology Epilepsy Erectile Dysfunction Eye Health / Blindness Fertility Fibromyalgia Flu / Cold / SARS GastroIntestinal Genetics Gout Gynecology h - l Headache / Migraine Health InsuranceHearing / Deafness Heart Disease HIV / AIDS Huntingtons Disease Hypertension Immune System / Vaccines Infectious Diseases Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome IT / Internet / E-mail Litigation Liver Disease / Hepatitis Lung Cancer Lupus Lymphology / Lymphedema Lymphoma / Leukemia m - o Medical Devices / Diagnostics Medical Malpractice Medical Practice Management Medical Students / Training Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Melanoma / Skin Cancer Men's Health Menopause Mental Health MRI / PET / Ultrasound MRSA / Drug Resistance Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy / ALS Myeloma Neurology / Neuroscience Nursing / Midwifery Nutrition / Diet Obesity / Weight Loss / FitnessOvarian Cancer p - r Pain / Anesthetics Palliative Care / Hospice Care Pancreatic Cancer Parkinson's Disease Pediatrics / Children's Health Pharma / Biotech Industry Pharmacy / Pharmacist Plastic Surgery Pregnancy / Obstetrics Premature Ejaculation Preventive Medicine Primary Care / General Practice Prostate / Prostate Cancer Psychology / Psychiatry Public Health Radiology / Nuclear Medicine Regulatory Affairs Rehabilitation Respiratory Restless Legs Syndrome s - z Schizophrenia Seniors / Aging Sexual Health / STDs Sleep / Sleep Disorders Smoking / Quit Smoking Sports Medicine / Fitness Statins Stem Cell Research Stroke Swine Flu Transplants / Organ Donations Tropical Diseases Tuberculosis Urology / Nephrology Vascular Veterans / Ex-Servicemen Veterinary Viruses / Bacteria Water - Air Quality / Agriculture Women's Health Hearing Melodies And Speech Cues - Is There A Central Brain Area?Editor's Choice
Academic Journal
Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 01 Dec 2011 - 8:00 PST
email to a friend 
printer friendly 
opinions ');}if ((navigator.userAgent.indexOf("MSIE") != -1) || (navigator.appName == "Netscape") ) {document.write('');} else {document.write('
Current Article Ratings:
Patient / Public:
Healthcare Prof:To a human, hearing the perceptual feature of sound known as pitch is vital. This pitch allows individuals to enjoy music and recognize the inflection of speech. According to prior investigations, there is a particular region in the brain that may be accountable for perceiving pitch. Although, whether this "pitch center" really exists is currently being debated by auditory neuroscientists.
In a review report published in the Journal of Neurophysiology, Dr Daniel Bendor, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, writes about a recent investigation that claimed this pitch center might not exist after all, or that it might not be located where thought it was.
Dr. Bendor outlines previous cases of scientists who claimed to have discovered a pitch processing center in an area of human auditory cortex located in lateral Heschl's gyrus. Dr. Bendor also outlines additional more recent studies that revealed data contradicting these earlier discoveries.
The study highlights decades-old investigations, indicating that the auditory cortex plays a crucial role in perceiving pitch. This finding was originally discovered by researchers training cats to distinguish pitch. The researchers then removed the auditory cortex on both sides of the brain - rendering the cats unable to distinguish pitch, even though the animals could still discriminate other aspects of sound, such as frequency.
According to experiments using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), a method that analyzes brain activity while patients are actively performing tasks in an MRI scanner, the lateral Heschl's gyrus is the principle player in pitch perception. Numerous fMRI investigations have scanned individuals' brains whilst participants listen to noise, after which they compared the brain activity to when subjects listened to a sound called iterated ripple noise (IRN), comparable to noise, but with a pitch component. Yet, recent ones comparing IRN and an IRN stimulus modified to have no pitch discovered that both sounds appear to stimulate the same area of the brain, indicating that this region might not contribute to pitch perception after all.
Bendor highlights that it is too early to dismiss the existence of a pitch center, although further examinations are required in order to verify its existence. According to Bendor, even though auditory cortex overlaps Heschl's gyrus, between subjects the exact placement can vary. Intersubject variability presents a considerable problem when averaging data across multiple subjects, and could be one reason why an fMRI study fails to replicate a result.
Bendor states that other studies indicate that a different region in the brain behind the lateral Heschl's gyrus (the anterior planum temporale), might contribute in pitch perception - a subject that requires additional research.
The existence of a pitch center, particularly one located in the lateral Heschl's gyrus, remains an open question.
Dr. Bendor, explains:
"Although there is general agreement that the auditory cortex is essential for pitch perception, whether pitch processing is localized within a single functionally-specific region within the auditory cortex remains a controversial issue among auditory neuroscientists."
Dr. Bendor is affiliated with the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Additional References Citations Visit our neurology / neuroscience section for the latest news on this subject. "Does a Pitch Center Exist in Auditory Cortex?"
Daniel Bendor
JN Physiol Published online before print November 2011, doi: 10.?1152/?jn.?00804.?2011
Source: American Physiological Society (APS) Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
MLA
Grace Rattue. "Hearing Melodies And Speech Cues - Is There A Central Brain Area?." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 1 Dec. 2011. Web.
1 Dec. 2011.
Grace Rattue. (2011, December 1). "Hearing Melodies And Speech Cues - Is There A Central Brain Area?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/238519.php.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
Rate this article:
(Hover over the stars then click to rate) Patient / Public:
or Health Professional:
Add Your Opinion
Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.
All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)
Your Name:* E-mail Address:* Title For Opinion:* Opinion:* This is to help prevent SPAM submissions. Please enter the words exactly as they appear, including capital letters and punctuation.** Fields marked with a * need to be filled in before you hit the submit button.
Contact Our News Editors
For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.
Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:
back to top
home
popular news by year
all written articles
health videos
contact us
your news:
news category list
personalize homepage
weekly newsletters
daily news alerts
company:
about us
advertising
news licensing
article submission
more:
accessibility
help / faq
links
free website feeds
free tools & content
Privacy Policy | Terms and ConditionsMediLexicon International Ltd
Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom
MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2011 All rights reserved.
');}if ((navigator.userAgent.indexOf("MSIE") != -1) || (navigator.appName == "Netscape") ) {document.write('');} else {document.write('
Neurology / NeuroscienceMost Popular Articles 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 1Female Orgasm - Brain Activity Captured In FMRI Imaging Device2How Meditation Benefits The Brain3Alzheimer's And Parkinson's - Elan-Cambridge New Research Center4Dream Sleep Eases Painful Memories5Neuron Transplants Can Repair Brain Circuits6Soccer Headers Can Cause Brain Injury7Exercise May Encourage Healthy Eating Via Brain Changes8EEG Can Identify Awareness In Those Thought To Be In Permanently Vegetative State 1Female Orgasm - Brain Activity Captured In FMRI Imaging Device2How Meditation Benefits The Brain3Alzheimer's And Parkinson's - Elan-Cambridge New Research Center4Dream Sleep Eases Painful Memories5Magic Mushrooms Can Bring About Lasting Personality Changes6Neuron Transplants Can Repair Brain Circuits7Chronic Pain Gene - HCN2 - Identified, Hopes For New Targeted Pain Drugs8Paralyzed Patient Moves Prosthetic Arm With Thoughts Alone9Soccer Headers Can Cause Brain Injury10Exercise May Encourage Healthy Eating Via Brain Changes 1Female Orgasm - Brain Activity Captured In FMRI Imaging Device2How Meditation Benefits The Brain3Alzheimer's And Parkinson's - Elan-Cambridge New Research Center4Dream Sleep Eases Painful Memories5Magic Mushrooms Can Bring About Lasting Personality Changes6Neuron Transplants Can Repair Brain Circuits7Chronic Pain Gene - HCN2 - Identified, Hopes For New Targeted Pain Drugs8Binge Drinking Damages Teenage Girls' Brains More Than Boys'9Paralyzed Patient Moves Prosthetic Arm With Thoughts Alone10Soccer Headers Can Cause Brain Injury
Follow Our Neurology News On Twitter
Get the latest news for this category delivered straight to your Twitter account. Simply visit our Neurology / Neuroscience Twitter account and select the 'follow' option.Conditions Information-- select from list --Abscess (Dental)AchalasiaAcid RefluxAcneAcoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)AcromegalyActinomicosisAcute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaAcute Myeloid LeukemiaAddictionAddison’s Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency)ADHDAgoraphobiaAir Embolism (Gas Embolism)Alcohol PoisoningAlcoholic Liver DiseaseAlcoholismAlopecia AreataAltitude Sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness)Alzheimer's DiseaseAMD / Macular DegenerationAmenorrheaAmnesiaAmniocentesisAnagen EffluviumAnal CancerAnal FissureAnal Itching (Itchy Bottom)AnaphylaxisAndrogen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)AnemiaAnemia (Vitamin Deficiency)AneurysmAngerAnginaAngioedemaAnorexia & BulimiaAntiphospholipid Syndrome (Hughes Syndrome)AnxietyAphasiaAppendicitisArrhythmiaArthritisAsperger SyndromeAsthmaAstigmatismAtaxiaAtrial FibrillationAtrophic Vaginitis (Vaginal Atrophy)AutismAvian InfluenzaBack PainBacterial VaginosisBaker's Cyst (Popliteal Cyst)BalanitisBartholin's CystBed Sores (Pressure Ulcers)Bell's PalsyBinge Eating DisorderBipolar DisorderBird FluBladder cancerBladder StonesBlepharitisBody Dysmorphic DisorderBody Odor (B.O.)Boils, furuncles, carbunclesBone CancerBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD)BotulismBrain Abscess (Cerebral Abscess)Breast CancerBreast Cancer (Male)Breast LumpsBronchiectasis (Bronchiectasia)BronchitisBursitisCancerCandidiasisCarbon Monoxide PoisoningCarpal Tunnel SyndromeCartilage DamageCataractsCatatonic SchizophreniaCelluliteCellulitisCerebral PalsyCerebrovascular DiseaseCervical SpondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth DiseaseChildhood SchizophreniaChlamydiaCholecystitis (Gallbladder Inflammation)CholeraCholestasis Of Pregnancy (Obstetric Cholestasis)CholesterolChronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)Chronic Kidney FailureChronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)CirrhosisCJDClaustrophobiaClostridium Difficile (C. Difficile)Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)Cluster HeadacheCold SoresColicColon CancerColorectal CancerComa (Comatose)Common ColdComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)ConcussionCongenital Heart Disease (Congenital Heart Defect)Conjunctivitis (allergic)Conjunctivitis (infective)ConstipationCOPD & EmphysemaCorns / CallusesCoronary Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)Costello SyndromeCoughCrabs (Pubic Lice)CraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)CristoporidiosisCrohn's DiseaseCroupCryptorchidism (Undescended Testicle)Cushing's SyndromeCystic FibrosisCystitisCystsCytomegalovirus (CMV)DandruffDeep Vein ThrombosisDehydrationDementiaDengue Fever?DepressionDetached RetinaDHTDiabetesDiabetes InsipidusDiabetic RetinopathyDiarrheaDiphtheriaDiscoid Eczema (Nummular Dermatitis)Disorganized Schizophrenia (Hebephrenia)DiverticulitisDouble Vision (Diplopia)Down SyndromeDry Eye SyndromeDry Mouth (Xerostomia)Dupuytren’s ContractureDysenteryDyslexiaDysphagiaDyspraxiaDystoniaE.coliEctopic PregnancyEctropionEczemaEdemaEmbolismEmphysemaEncephalitisEndocarditisEndometriosisEnuresis - BedwettingEpidermolysis BullosaEpiglottitisEpilepsyEpiphora (Watering Eye)Erectile DysfunctionEsophageal CancerEsophagitisEuthanasia (Assisted Suicide)Exophthalmos (Bulging Eyes)Eye Melanoma (Ocular Melanoma)Febrile Seizures (Convulsions)FeverFibroidsFibromyalgiaFlat Feet (Fallen Arches)FlatulenceFood AllergyFracture (Broken Bones)FrostbiteFrozen ShoulderGallstonesGanglion CystGangreneGastroenteritis / Food PoisoningGenital WartsGERDGiardiasisGilbert SyndromeGlandular FeverGlaucomaGlomerulonephritisGlue EarGluten Intolerance / Celiac DiseaseGoiter (Goitre)GonorrheaGoutGraves’ DiseaseGuillain-Barré SyndromeGum Disease (Gingivitis)Hair Loss / BaldnessHalitosis (Bad Breath)HangoverHay FeverHead LiceHeadachesHeart AttackHeart Block (AV Bundle/Bundle Branch Block)Heart DiseaseHeart FailureHeartburnHeat Rash (Prickly Heat)Heel PainHemochromatosisHemophiliaHemroids / HemorrhoidsHepatitisHerniaHerpesHiccupsHiccups (Hiccoughs)High Blood PressureHirsutism (Excessive Hairiness)HIV / AIDSHivesHormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)Huntington's DiseaseHydrocephalus (Water On The Brain)Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)HypertensionHyperthyroidismHypertrophic CardiomyopathyHypertrophic CardiomyopathyHypochondriaHypoglycemiaHypotensionHypothermiaHypothyroidismHysterectomyImpacted Wisdom TeethImpetigoIncontinence (bowel)Incontinence (urinary)IndigestionInfant JaundiceInfertilityInfluenza / FluIngrown ToenailInsomniaIrregular Periods (Oligomenorrhea)Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Irritable Hip (Acute Transient Synovitis)Japanese EncephalitisJaundice (icterus)Jet LagKawasaki DiseaseKetosisKidney CancerKidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)Kidney StonesLactose IntoleranceLaryngeal Cancer (Cancer Of The Larynx)LaryngitisLazy EyeLeg CrampsLegionnaires' DiseaseLeukemiaLichen PlanusListeria Infection (Listeriosis)Liver CancerLung CancerLupusLyme DiseaseLymphedemaLymphomaMal De Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS)MalariaMalnutritionMarfan SyndromeMastitisMeaslesMeniere's diseaseMeningitisMenopauseMental HealthMesotheliomaMetatarsalgia (Stone Bruise)MigraineMolesMolluscum ContagiosumMorning Sickness (Nausea Gravidarum)Morton's NeuromaMotion Sickness (Travel Sickness)Motor Neuron DiseaseMouth CancerMRSAMultiple MyelomaMultiple SclerosisMumpsMunchausen SyndromeMunchausen Syndrome By ProxyMuscular Dystrophy (MD)Myasthenia Gravis (Goldflam Disease)Nail Fungal InfectionNarcissistic Personality DisorderNarcolepsyNasal PolypsNDM-1Necrotizing FasciitisNeurofibromatosisNeuromyelitis Optica (Devic's Disease)NeuropathyNicotine Dependence (Dangers Of Smoking)Noonan SyndromeNorovirus InfectionObesityObsessive Compulsive DisorderObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)Occupational AsthmaOpioid-Induced Constipation (OIC)Oral Thrush (Babies)Oral Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)OsteoarthritisOsteochondritis DissecansOsteomyelitis (Bone Infection)OsteopathyOsteoporosisOtitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)Ovarian CancerOvarian CystPaget's Disease (Of Bone)PainPainful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)Pancreatic CancerPancreatitis (acute)Pancreatitis (chronic)Panic AttacksParanoid SchizophreniaParasitesParkinson's DiseasePelvic Inflammatory DiseasePeptic UlcersPericarditisPeriod PainsPeripheral Artery Disease (PAD)Personality DisordersPimplesPinworms (Threadworms)PleurisyPneumococcal DiseasePneumoniaPolioPost Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Postherpetic NeuralgiaPostpartum DepressionPrader-Willi SyndromePremature EjaculationPrimary Sclerosing CholangitisProgeriaProstate CancerPsoriasisPsoriasisPulmonary Edema (Oedema)Pulmonary EmbolismQ FeverRabiesRadiation Sickness (Radiation Poisoning)Ramsay Hunt SyndromeRaynaud's DiseaseRectocele (Proctocele)Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)Restless Legs SyndromeRheumatic FeverRheumatoid ArthritisRhinitis, Non-AllergicRicketsRingwormRosaceaRubellaRuptured SpleenSalivary Gland CancerSalmonellaSARSScabiesScarlet Fever (Scarlatina)Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)Schizoaffective DisorderSchizophreniaSciaticaSclerodermaScoliosisScurvySeasonal Affective DisorderSexual Addiction (Nymphomania)ShinglesShort Stature (Dwarfism)SinusitisSjogren's SyndromeSkin Cancer / MelanomaSlapped Cheek SyndromeSocial Anxiety DisorderSpina BifidaSpinal Muscular AtrophySquint (Strabismus)StammeringStrep Throat / Sore ThroatStressStress IncontinenceStrokeStye (Hordeolum)Subarachnoid HemorrhageSuicidal ThoughtsSwine FluSyphilisTachycardia (Fast Heart Beat)Tapeworms (Cestodes)Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)Tendinitis (Tendonitis)Testicular CancerTesticular TorsionTetanusThyroid CancerThyroid NodulesTinnitusTiredness / FatigueTobacco Smoke ToxinsTonsillitisTourette SyndromeToxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)Transient Ischemic Attacktransient ischemic attackTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI)Trigeminal NeuralgiaTriple X SyndromeTuberculosisTurner SyndromeTyphoidUlcerative ColitisUmbilical HerniaUrinary Tract Infection (UTI)UveitisVaculitis (Angiitis)Vaginal CancerVaginismusVaginitisValley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)VaricoceleVaricose Eczema (Stasis Dermatitis)Ventricular FibrillationVertigoVesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)Vitamin B12 DeficiencyVocal Cord Paresis (Paralysis)Von Willebrand DiseaseVulvar Cancer (Vulval Cancer)VulvodyniaWartsWater On The Knee (Knee Effusion)Water Retention (Fluid Retention)Wegener's GranulomatosisWernicke-Korsakoff SyndromeWest Nile Virus (WNV)Wheat AllergyWhipple's DiseaseWilliams SyndromeWilms’ Tumor (Nephroblastoma)Wolff-Parkinson-White SyndromeYellow FeverYipsZollinger-Ellison Syndrome
View list of all 'What Is...' articles »
No comments:
Post a Comment