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Scientist Invents Innovative Techniques to Analyze Brain's Reaction to Sounds, Such as Vocals like Singing

Brain research finds specific neurons activated by singing, yet indifferent to other forms of music.

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Scientist Creates Innovative Approaches to Analyze Brain's Response to Auditory Stimuli, such as...
Scientist Creates Innovative Approaches to Analyze Brain's Response to Auditory Stimuli, such as Melodies and Vocals

Scientist Invents Innovative Techniques to Analyze Brain's Reaction to Sounds, Such as Vocals like Singing

A groundbreaking study published in the prestigious journal Current Biology has identified a specific population of neurons in the human brain that respond solely to singing, not just to speech or music in general. This discovery was made possible through a combination of innovative methodologies and the collaboration of research teams from Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute and the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Key Insights

For the first time, a neuronal population has been identified that reacts selectively to singing – not just to language or music in general, but specifically to vocal, melodious singing. These singing-specific neurons are located in the upper temporal lobe of the brain, more precisely in the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Not all music regions respond to singing – only a particular subset does.

The discovery was achieved through direct measurements of neural activity (via intracranial EEG recordings) in patients who had electrodes implanted in their brain due to epilepsy.

Research Groups & Authors

The study was conducted under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Sam Norman-Haignere (University of Rochester, formerly of Columbia University) and Prof. Dr. Nancy Kanwisher (MIT, previously heavily involved with Columbia). The data collection primarily took place in New York. The Zuckerman Institute (Columbia University) and the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Rochester played significant roles.

Source & Further Reading

  • Norman-Haignere, S., Kanwisher, N., et al. (2022). "A neural population selective for song in human auditory cortex." Current Biology, 32, 1470–1484. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.01.069
  • Press Release: Columbia Zuckerman Institute | Neuroscientists Identify a Population of Neurons That Respond Only to Singing

In Summary

Researchers from New York (Columbia University) and Rochester (URMC) have discovered a population of neurons in the brain that respond exclusively to singing. These neurons are located in the upper temporal lobe (STG) and represent a previously unknown, singing-specific processing layer in the human brain.

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