Development of multisensory processing in cortico-subcortical networks

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz
• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology ; Developmental Neurobiology
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 244989045

While sensory processing represents a constant research topic in neuroscience, its investigation has been mainly achieved by considering a single sensory modality at a time. However, real-world perception of the environment relies on the integration of information from multiple senses. Traditionally, this multisensory processing has been exclusively assigned to higher convergence areas in the brain, such as the superior colliculus or prefrontal cortex, where neurons receive inputs from different senses and combine them. This concept has been recently challenged by the identification of cross-modal processing in putatively unisensory neocortical regions. We recently demonstrated the critical role of neural network oscillations and direct connectivity between primary sensory cortices as well as of subcortical feedforward interactions in visual-somatosensory processing. However, the underlying mechanisms of cross-modal processing and the ontogeny of these interactions remain largely unknown. The present proposal aims at elucidating these issues by focusing on the sparsely investigated convergence of visual and tactile information in the rat brain in vivo. In a first step, simultaneous extracellular recordings from primary sensory cortices and thalamic nuclei will be conducted to characterize the role of subcortical feedforward interactions in cross-modal processing. Second, we will decide whether multisensory experience is necessary for the maturation of cortical and subcortical visual-tactile interactions. Third, we will decide whether unisensory experience during defined developmental stages (critical periods) is mandatory for the maturation of cortical and subcortical visual-tactile interactions underlying multisensory perception.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants