Blast Exposure Disrupts the Tonotopic Frequency Map in the Primary Auditory Cortex

• Published in: Neuroscience Vol. 379; pp. 428 - 434
• Main Authors: Masri, Samer, Zhang, Li S., Luo, Hao, Pace, Edward, Zhang, Jinsheng, Bao, Shaowen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 21-05-2018
• Subjects: auditory cortex; blast; central auditory processing disorder; frequency map; rat; frequency map; PSTH; CF; auditory cortex; central auditory processing disorder; RF; rat; BW; AI; TBI; blast
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.03.041

[Display omitted]
•Exposure to a 22-psi blast increased response threshold in the auditory cortex.•Blast exposure resulted in broadened frequency tuning.•Blast exposure resulted in shortened response latency.•Blast exposure resulted in distorted cortical frequency map.
Blast exposure can cause various auditory disorders including tinnitus, hyperacusis, and other central auditory processing disorders. While this is suggestive of pathologies in the central auditory system, the impact of blast exposure on central auditory processing remains poorly understood. Here we examined the effects of blast shockwaves on acoustic response properties and the tonotopic frequency map in the auditory cortex. We found that multiunits recorded from the auditory cortex exhibited higher acoustic thresholds and broader frequency tuning in blast-exposed animals. Furthermore, the frequency map in the primary auditory cortex was distorted. These changes may contribute to central auditory processing disorders.