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Noncanonical short-latency auditory pathway directly activates deep cortical layers

Author

Listed:
  • Michellee M. Garcia

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Amber M. Kline

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Koun Onodera

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Hiroaki Tsukano

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Pranathi R. Dandu

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Hailey C. Acosta

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Michael R. Kasten

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Paul B. Manis

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Hiroyuki K. Kato

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Massachusetts Eye and Ear
    Harvard Medical School)

Abstract

Auditory processing in the cerebral cortex is considered to begin with thalamocortical inputs to layer 4 (L4) of the primary auditory cortex (A1). In this canonical model, A1 L4 inputs initiate a hierarchical cascade that propagates to higher-order cortices for slower integration of complex sounds. Here, we identify parallel ascending pathways in mice that bypass A1 and directly reach the secondary auditory cortex (A2), alongside the canonical hierarchical route. We found that layer 6 (L6) of both A1 and A2 receive short-latency (

Suggested Citation

  • Michellee M. Garcia & Amber M. Kline & Koun Onodera & Hiroaki Tsukano & Pranathi R. Dandu & Hailey C. Acosta & Michael R. Kasten & Paul B. Manis & Hiroyuki K. Kato, 2025. "Noncanonical short-latency auditory pathway directly activates deep cortical layers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61020-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61020-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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