Computational model for the dynamic aspects of sound processing in the auditory midbrain

Recent experiments show that many of the interaural time difference (ITD) s ensitive neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) respond differently to sti muli with constant or dynamically varying ITDs. We have developed a firing rate model with an activity-dependent adaptation mechanism to study these p lasticity effects. The model is highly idealized, which makes it tractable and allows clear interpretation. In our formulation, the dynamic effects or iginate in the IC and are not inherited from the lower level structures. Th e results are in a good qualitative agreement with experimental data. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.