PATTERNED NEURAL ACTIVITY IN BRAIN-STEM AUDITORY AREAS OF A PREHEARING MAMMAL, THE TAMMAR WALLABY (MACROPUS-EUGENII)

IS patterned neural activity in immature prefunctioning sensory system s a general phenomenon'' Such patterning has been found in the prenata l visual and somatosentory systems. We have now identified patterning in the immature auditory system of a prehearing mammal, the tammar wal laby. Neurones recorded in vivo from the eighth nerve and cochlear nuc leus at pouch days 94-122 discharged in bursts with rhythmic inter-spi ke intervals. Our findings are applied to the argument that neural act ivity is vital to sensory development.