Computational modelling of the binaural coincidence detector circuit (B01)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells ; Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2010 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 118803580

The firing rate of the neurons in the medial superior olive (MSO) is sensitive to changes as small as ten microseconds in interaural time difference (ITD), the most important cue for sound source localization in the azimuthal plane in humans. In the previous funding periods we were focusing on models of the MSO nerve cell membrane to explain integration of fast synaptic inputs and action potential generation. We now use these results to develop a phenomenological model of the population of MSO neurons to evaluate different hypotheses on how this nucleus represents azimuthal space in complex acoustic environments. We will also collaborate with CRC partners on modelling axonal conduction in the auditory brainstem.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 870: Assembly and Function of Neuronal Circuits in Sensory Processing
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Felix Felmy, until 1/2015; Privatdozentin Dr. Conny Kopp-Scheinpflug, from 2/2015 until 12/2017; Professor Dr. Christian Leibold