Numeric aspects in pitch identification: an fMRI study

Abstract

BackgroundPitch identification had yielded unique response patterns compared to other auditory skills. Selecting one out of numerous pitches distinguished this task from detecting a pitch ascent. Encoding of numerous stimuli had activated the intraparietal sulcus in the visual domain. Therefore, we hypothesized that numerosity encoding during pitch identification activates the intraparietal sulcus as well.MethodsTo assess pitch identification, the participants had to recognize a single pitch from a set of four possible pitches in each trial. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) disentangled neural activation during this four-pitch-choice task from activation during pitch contour perception, tone localization, and pitch discrimination.ResultsPitch identification induced bilateral activation in the intraparietal sulcus compared to pitch discrimination. Correct responses in pitch identification correlated with activation in the left intraparietal sulcus. Pitch contour perception activated the superior temporal gyrus conceivably due to the larger range of presented tones. The differentiation between pitch identification and tone localization failed. Activation in an ACC-hippocampus network distinguished pitch discrimination from pitch identification.ConclusionPitch identification is distinguishable from pitch discrimination on the base of activation in the IPS. IPS activity during pitch identification may be the auditory counterpart of numerosity encoding in the visual domain.

Resting-state functional connectivity and pitch identification ability in non-musicians

“…Because the current study did not collect task-related fMRI, we selected seed regions based on a previous task-related fMRI study for PI among non-musicians (Schwenzer and Mathiak, 2011 ). That study found seven significant ROIs (with MNI coordinates indicated): right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ( x = 40, y = 20, z = 36), right medial frontal gyrus ( x = 4, y = 18, z = 50), right medial frontal lobe ( x = 34, y = 48, z = 8), left premotor area ( x = −30, y = −6, z = 50), right premotor area ( x = 24, y = −2, z = 52), left intraparietal sulcus ( x = −36, y = −34, z = 40), and right intraparietal sulcus ( x = 40, y = −40, z = 44).…”

“…Thus, far, little is known about the neural basis of PI among non-musicians. Only one study by Schwenzer and Mathiak ( 2011 ) collected fMRI data while non-musicians were asked to recognize a single pitch from a set of four frequencies in each trial. The results showed that PI activated the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), right medial frontal gyrus, right medial front lobe, bilateral premotor area, and bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS).…”

“…The results showed that PI activated the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), right medial frontal gyrus, right medial front lobe, bilateral premotor area, and bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS). These regions subserve various functions involved in PI: the DLPFC for working memory (Crottaz-Herbette et al, 2004 ; Grimault et al, 2009 ); the medial frontal gyrus for error monitoring (Volz et al, 2005 ); the medial frontal lobe for retaining memory, executive function and attention (Simons and Spiers, 2003 ; Baird et al, 2006 ); the premotor area for planning movement (Churchland et al, 2006 ; Ojakangas et al, 2006 ); and the IPS for spatial and quantity processing (Castelli et al, 2006 ; Dormal and Pesenti, 2009 ; Santens et al, 2010 ; Schwenzer and Mathiak, 2011 ). As was the case for quasi-AP musicians, the right hemisphere was important for PI among non-musicians.…”

Musical, visual and cognitive deficits after middle cerebral artery infarction

“…This knowledge is expanded by findings that amusia patients often show deficits in visual-spatial abilities, executive functions, memory, learning, and attention [10] , [18] , [44] , [45] . Furthermore music perception problems seem to be highly correlated with aphasia [44] , [45] , [47] , [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] and to visuo-spatial neglect [44] , [45] . Conclusively, a direct link between music perception and other cognitive functions, as well as even visual abilities, has been suggested.…”

“…Other studies strengthen the role of premotor and supplementary motor areas in beat perception [14] , [17] , [58] . Furthermore, functions of pitch and contour processing as well as rhythm perception are attributed to the parietal lobe [15] , [29] , [49] , [52] .…”