Responses of units of the inferior colliculus to time-varying acoustic stimuli.

Abstract

Responses of single units of the cat inferior colliculus to frequency- and amplified-modulated tonal stimuli have been recorded. The stimuli were generated by an oscillator whose output was controlled by voltages from a LINC computer. The unitary responses were analyzed "on line" by the computer. Some units responded selectively to changes in tonal frequency or amplitude in one direction and not in the other. Other units showed a linear relationship between the density of firing and the modulated stimulus. Rate and depth of modulation were critical parameters in determining the degree of activation of the units. Frequency- response plots were obtained and attempts w ere made to relate these plots with the responses of the units to modulated stimuli. Insome, but not all, cases a close relationship was evident.