Auditory Efferent Systems: Closing the Loop(s)

Speakers

- Paul Delano, Universidad de Chile, Chile

- Ana Belen Elgoyhen, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

- Elisabeth Glowatzki, Johns Hopkins University, USA

- Shawn Goodman, University of Iowa, USA

- Lisa Goodrich, Harvard University, USA

- Skyler Jennings, University of Utah, USA

- Tim Jürgens, Technische Hochschule Lübeck, Germany

- Amanda Lauer, Johns Hopkins University, USA

- Enrique Lopez-Poveda, University of Salamanca, Spain

- Sonja Pyott, University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands

- Brett Schofield, Northeast Ohio Medical University, USA

- Elizabeth Strickland, Purdue University, USA

- Lawrence Trussell, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, Oregon USA

- Catherine Weisz, NIH-NIDCD, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Background

The descending pathways, or efferent systems, represent roughly half of the auditory system, yet they remain poorly understood. Indeed, this complex topic has been carefully “avoided” in our field for many years; however, the efferent systems are now receiving increased attention. Exciting work is emerging from a growing group of scientists located around the globe and rooted in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Anatomical and pharmacological studies are revealing new connections, pathways, and neurotransmitters involved in the efferent systems. Psychophysical approaches are using new stimulus paradigms to test hypotheses for the role of efferent systems in perception. New protocols for otoacoustic emissions have been developed to reveal the influence of efferent systems on cochlear gain. Computational modelers are including the efferent feedback pathways in nonlinear models for neural information processing. The goal of this HWK Study Group is to assemble a diverse set of researchers who are interested in reaching out of their sub-discipline to interact with other scientists who are pursuing this fascinating system. Communications across and between subdisciplines will strengthen and facilitate progress on this frontier of auditory neuroscience and technology.

The full set of recordings of the talks of this event are available at 'Themes > Projects > Study Groups' on this site.