Patrick P. GAO1,2, Celia M. Dong1,2, Leon C. Ho1,2, Russell W. Chan1,2, Xunda Wang1,2, and Ed X. Wu1,2
1Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, People's Republic of, 2Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, People's Republic of
Multisensory interaction is crucial for forming an accurate representation
of the environment and facilitating behavioral responses. Previous studies of multisensory
interaction are focused on the cortex. The midbrain inferior colliculus (IC) is
a pivotal station in the auditory pathway. Although evidence suggests that the
IC receives non-auditory anatomical and signal input, it remains unclear how
other sensory signals interact with auditory processing within the IC. Using
BOLD fMRI, this study shows that a strong visual stimulation inhibits IC responses
to following noise stimulation. Multisensory interaction therefore occurs much
earlier before sensory signals reach the cortex.
