Temporal coding in auditory cortex

Sounds in general, and human speech and animal vocalizations in particular, are characterized by their intricate temporal structure and, often, strong harmonic content. These characteristics have been named information bearing elements (IBEs) and include steady-state harmonically related frequencies, frequency modulations, and noise bursts. The interrelationship between these IBEs is reflected in information bearing parameters (IBPs) such as onsets, slow amplitude modulations, and silent gaps (Suga 1989, 1992). The IBEs are part of the sound's texture (fine structure) and the IBPs reflect the sound contours or envelopes (Eggermont 1998, 2001). The representation of these temporal IBPs in cortical neural activity is the main topic of this Chapter.