Processing of amplitude modulated sounds in the medial geniculate body of squirrel monkeys

The responses of single and multi units in the medial geniculate body of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) to modulation frequency, modulation depth and changes in absolute intensity of sinusoidally amplitude modulated (AM) sounds were studied. Both spike-frequency and spike rate modulation were used as a measure for neuronal response. Spike rate modulation was derived from FFT (Fast-Fourier-Transformation) analysis of the PSTHs. In all cases (N = 133) spike rate modulation was shown to be dependent on the stimulus modulation frequency: Most neurons responded best to one modulation frequency, i.e., they showed a modulation transfer function with bandpass characteristic; only a few displayed a low pass or multiple peaked transfer characteristic. The majority of the neurons responded best in a range from 4 to 64 Hz, with a peak at 32 Hz and a median at 16 Hz. Such modulation frequencies are common in parts of the species vocal repertoire.