Perceptual auditory gap detection deficits in male BXSB mice with cerebrocortical ectopias

Underlying impairments in rapid auditory processing; may contribute to disr upted phonological processing, which in turn characterizes developmental la nguage impairment (LI). Identification of a neurobiological feature of LI t hat is associated with auditory deficits would further support this model. Accordingly, we found that adult male rats with induced cortical malformati ons were impaired in rapid auditory processing. Since 40-60% of BXSB mice e xhibit spontaneous focal cerebrocortical ectopias (as seen in dyslexics bra ins), we assessed auditory gap detection in adult male BXSB mice. Ectopic m ice were significantly worse than non-ectopics in detecting a 5 ms silent g ap, but were not significantly impaired at longer gap durations (10-100 ms) . Our results confirm that focal cortical malformations are associated with impairments in rapid auditory processing. NeuroReport 11:693-696 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.