Localisation and characterisation of auditory perception through Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Formisano, E.^a | Pepino, A.^{a; *} | Bracale, M.^a | Di Salle, F.^b | Saulino, C.^c | Marciano, E.^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Napoli, Italy | [b] Radiological Unit, Department of Biomorphological and Functional Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Napoli, Italy | [c] Audiological Unit, Department of Neurosciences and of Human Communication, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Napoli, Italy

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: A. Pepino, Ph.D., Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Napoli, Italy. Tel.: ++39-81-7683106; Fax: ++39-81-5934448; E-mail: pepino@diesun.die.unina.it.

Abstract: In the last few years, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has been widely accepted as an effective tool for mapping brain activities in both the neurosensorial and the cognitive field. The present work aims to assess the possibility of using fMRI methods to perform a non-invasive evaluation of the human auditory function. To this end the cortical response to different non speech stimuli (pure tones, pulsed tones) was examined for ten subjects with no audiological impairment. Our findings point out some remarkable differences in both the spatial and the temporal features of the primary auditory cortex response to pulsed tones and to pure tones.

Keywords: Auditory cortex, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, image processing

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1998-62-303

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 6, no. 2-3, pp. 111-123, 1998