Auditory evoked potential measurements in marine mammals have mostly relied on measurements of the auditory brainstem response [(ABR) Dolphin, 2000; Supin et al., 2001), a series of deflections in the averaged electroencephalogram (EEG) that occurs within the first 6 to 8 ms after sound onset and reflects summed activity from the auditory nerve to the inferior colliculus (Ridgway et al., 1981; Supin et al., 2001; Burkard and Don, 2007; Eggermont, 2007). The ABR is known to be an onset response—i.e., a sustained stimulus produces an ABR only at the onset (and offset) of the stimulus (Hecox et al., 1976; Brinkmann and Scherg, 1979; Suzuki and Horiuchi, 1981; Burkard and Don, 2007); however, the specific features of the acoustic stimulus that affect the morphology of the ABR (and other onset responses) are not well understood.
Several studies with terrestrial mammals have examined relationships between neural coding of single-unit and near-field onset responses and onset features of acoustic stimuli. Heil (1997a,b) measured spike
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Spike discharge counts were measured while systematically manipulating tone burst rise time, rise envelope shape (i.e., linear or cosine), and plateau sound pressure. The results showed that first-spike latency was not an independent function of either sound pressure or rise time alone. Acceleration (i.e., the second time-derivative) of the pressure envelope at stimulus onset governed spike latencies for tones with a cosine rise envelope and velocity (i.e., the time-derivative) of
Parnes & Nabi (2009) mentioned in their article that the vestibular system allows for vertebrates to detect spatial position as well as motion. Timothy & Hain (2009) further elaborated that rotational movement is detected by the semi-circular canals. The vestibular system can be subdivided into the otolith organs and the semi-circular canals (SCC) (Parnes & Nabi, 2009). The otolith organs can be further divided into the utricle and saccule (Timothy & Hain, 2009). All of these canals have a pivotal role in the maintenance of balance (Fife, 2009). The SCC which contains endolymph is situated at right angles to each other and detects rotational hea...
Snowdon, C. T., Brown, C. H., & Petersen, M. R. (1982). Primate communication. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press].
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
Firstly, there is various of sensing activities as in seeing and hearing as in a sense of understanding of what is seen and heard. Secondly the sense of feeling in numerous parts of the body from the head to the toes. The ability to recall past events, the sophisticated emotions and the thinking process. The cerebellum acts as a physiological microcomputer which intercepts various sensory and motor nerves to smooth out what would otherwise be jerky muscle motions. The medulla controls the elementary functions responsible for life, such as breathing, cardiac rate and kidney functions. The medulla contains numerous of timing mechanisms as well as other interconnections that control swallowing and salivations.
After the sound is processed in the cochlea, the auditory information travels into the brain in order to be interpreted.
Cetaceans are thought to be some of the most intelligent species on this planet. Popular culture has embraced the idea of cetacean intelligence with shows such as the 1960s hit TV series Flipper, where a dolphin is used to help fight crime. In his comedic science fiction novels, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, author Douglas Adams suggests that dolphins are the second most intelligent creatures on Earth, behind mice and above humans. Although most scientists would probably argue that humans are the most intelligent species, the behavior and brain size of dolphins and other cetaceans suggests that they too are intelligent. This paper will briefly describe the reason some scientists believe cetaceans are intelligent species and then give examples of scientific studies, which suggest cetacean intelligence. Since bottlenose dolphins and orcas are the most widely studied cetaceans, the survey of field studies will primarily focus on these two species. At the end, this paper provides an argument of why some scientists discredit the high degree of cetacean intelligence.
For any individual who either avidly listens to or performs music, it is understood that many melodies have amazing effects on both our emotions and our perception. To address the effects of music on the brain, it seems most logical to initially map the auditory and neural pathways of sound. In the case of humans, the mechanism responsible for receiving and transmitting sound to the brain are the ears. Briefly stated, the outer ear (or pinna) 'catches' and amplifies sound by funneling it into the ear canal. Interestingly, the outer ear serves only to boost high frequency sound components (1). The resonance provided by the outer ear also serves in amplifying a higher range of frequencies corresponding to the top octave of the piano key board. The air pressure wave travels through the ear canal to ultimately reach and vibrate the timpanic membrane (i.e.-- the eardrum). At this particular juncture, the pressure wave energy of sound is translated into mechanical energy via the middle ear. Here, three small bones, the ossicles, vibrate in succession to produce a unique pattern of movements that embodies the frequencies contained in every sound we are capable of hearing. The middle ear is also an important component in what music we actually keep out of our 'head'. The muscles grasping the ossicles can contract to prevent as much as two thirds of the sound from entering the inner ear. (1, 2)
Once believed to be no more than random utterances made involuntarily, scientists now know that these sounds are a part of a complex linguistic system that primates make deliberately. In order to make sense of these sounds, primatologists first cataloged a group’s vocal repertoire before determining the circumstances under which those sounds were made. While primate voices are distinct, individuals produce comparable calls within types. However, simply ascertaining the context does not necessarily prove its purpose. To achieve a greater understanding, researchers recorded different calls and then, using speakers, played where a group could hear and studied the various responses (Larsen,
Vestibular System Athletes must accomplish amazing feats of balance and coordination of the body. As scientist, Mikhail Tsaytin discovered in the 1970s, acrobats can successfully make a two person human tower in the dark, but after adding a third acrobat, not even the most talented can maintain the balance required to keep the tower intact while in the dark (1). What does darkness have to do with it? The point is that balance relies on at least three signals coming from the body, and one of those is sight. Once you eliminate one of these signals, the body cannot accomplish the required task.
Killer whales communicate by a series of clicks and whistles called vocalization. Each pod, or family, has their own unique language. This gives whales the ability to identify their own pods. Orcas have a brain that is about five ti...
It is a well established fact, that during the fetal period, the brain undergoes extensive developmental changes, with new synapses being formed continuously in response to external cues being delivered to the fetus. This development of neuronal connectivity enables the fetus to recognize and analyze complex information. This is especially true in the development of the auditory nervous system. A strong model of the auditory development in response ...
Rauschecker, J., & Harris, L. (1983). Auditory compensation of the effects of visual deprivation in the cat's superior colliculus. Experimental Brain Research, 50(1), 69-83.
Often within classroom environments, as well as at home, children learn through visual and auditory perception. Visual and auditory processing are key ways to learn; they are used for recognizing and interpreting information taken from the two senses of sound as well as sight. So clearly it is understood that having this disorder can make it a bit more difficult and troublesome to learn through vision and hearing, but definitely not impossible.
Paramedics are frequently presented with neurological emergencies in the pre-hospital environment. Neurological emergencies include conditions such as, strokes, head or spinal injuries. To ensure the effective management of neurological emergencies an appropriate and timely neurological assessment is essential. Several factors are associated with the effectiveness and appropriateness of neurological assessments within the pre-hospital setting. Some examples include, variable clinical presentations, difficulty undertaking investigations, and the requirement for rapid management and transportation decisions (Lima & Maranhão-Filho, 2012; Middleton et al., 2012; Minardi & Crocco, 2009; Stocchetti et al., 2004; Yanagawa & Miyawaki, 2012). Through a review of current literature, the applicability and transferability of a neurological assessment within the pre-hospital clinical environment is critiqued. Blumenfeld (2010) describes the neurological assessment as an important analytical tool that evaluates the functionality of an individual’s nervous system. Blumenfeld (2010) dissected and evaluated the neurological assessment into six functional components, mental status, cranial nerves, motor exam, reflexes, co-ordination and gait, and a sensory examination.