Auditory gap-in-noise detection behavior in ferrets and humans.

Abstract

The precise encoding of temporal features of auditory stimuli by the mammalian auditory system is critical to the perception of biologically important sounds, including vocalizations, speech, and music. In this study, auditory gap-detection behavior was evaluated in adult pigmented ferrets (Mustelid putorius furo) using bandpassed stimuli designed to widely sample the ferret’s behavioral and physiological audiogram. Animals were tested under positive operant conditioning, with psychometric functions constructed in response to gap-in-noise lengths ranging from 3 to 270 ms. Using a modified version of this gap-detection task, with the same stimulus frequency parameters, we also tested a cohort of normal-hearing human subjects. Gap-detection thresholds were computed from psychometric curves transformed according to signal detection theory, revealing that for both ferrets and humans, detection sensitivity was worse for silent gaps embedded within low-frequency noise compared with high-frequency or broadband stimuli. Additional psychometric function analysis of ferret behavior indicated effects of stimulus spectral content on aspects of behavioral performance related to decision-making processes, with animals displaying improved sensitivity for broadband gap-in-noise detection. Reaction times derived from unconditioned head-orienting data and the time from stimulus onset to reward spout activation varied with the stimulus frequency content and gap length, as well as the approach-to-target choice and reward location. The present study represents a comprehensive evaluation of gap-detection behavior in ferrets, while similarities in performance with our human subjects confirm the use of the ferret as an appropriate model of temporal processing.

Octave equivalence perception is not linked to vocal mimicry: budgerigars fail standardized operant tests for octave equivalence

“…We would therefore like to invite researchers who work with mammals to test this paradigm on their study species. Especially species like rats, ferrets and sea lions might be good choices given that they have been used in behavioural research on auditory perception (Cook et al, 2013;Reichmuth & Casey, 2014;Gold et al, 2015;Celma-Miralles & Toro, 2018).…”

Establishing the ferret as a gyrencephalic animal model of traumatic brain injury: Optimization of controlled cortical impact procedures

“…Similar to previous researchers, we found ferrets to be amenable to behavioral testing. Specifically, other researchers investigated spatial maze learning, delayed response, visual discrimination learning, shock avoidance learning, ambulation, spontaneous alternation, as well as T-maze, Lashley III maze, reversal, visual discrimination, auditory gap-detection and open field locomotion (Christensson and Garwicz 2005; Gold et al, 2015; Haddad et al, 1976; Rabe et al, 1985; Zhou et al, 2016). In this study, we tested a variety of behaviors (locomotion, anxiety, memory, gait, adhesive detection) in a naïve control and in ferrets that received either a mild and severe brain injury.…”

“…The ferret is used in numerous fields of anatomic and physiologic research because it possesses many features that are similar to humans. Examples include immune and respiratory systems, auditory systems, cerebrovascular research, endocrine system, and gastric anatomy (Atkinson et al, 1989; Bakthavatchalu et al, 2016; Cabot and Fox, 1990; Gold et al, 2015; Oh and Hurt, 2016). Ferrets are advantageous for many practical reasons such as a comparatively low cost, sociability to allow group housing thereby minimizing space needs, and body dimensions with a slender torso that allows use of specialized pre-clinical MRI scanners for in vivo imaging.…”

“…Ferrets are advantageous for many practical reasons such as a comparatively low cost, sociability to allow group housing thereby minimizing space needs, and body dimensions with a slender torso that allows use of specialized pre-clinical MRI scanners for in vivo imaging. Ferrets are also amenable to many types of behavioral testing (e.g., Christensson and Garwicz, 2005; Gold et al, 2015; Haddad et al, 1976; Rabe et al, 1985; Zhou et al, 2016). For a full review of various issues to consider when choosing the ferret as a laboratory animal see Ball (2006).…”

Progression of histopathological and behavioral abnormalities following mild traumatic brain injury in the male ferret

“…Several other groups have used ferrets as highly trained animals in behavioral studies. Ferrets are involved in studying discriminative behavior in audition and vision (Gold, Nodal, Peters, King, & Bajo, 2015;Zhou, Yu, Sellers, & Fr€ ohlich, 2016). Our previous report also found them to be excellent animals to participate in behavioral studies after TBI (Schwerin et al, 2017).…”