Modeling aspects of speech processing in bats - behavioral and neurophysiological studies

The goal of this article is to provide an integrated view of what we can learn about speech processing from animal studies. 'Integrated' refers here to the attempt to explore biologically important sounds from the level of vocal learning, to neural representation at various stations of the auditory pathway, to audio-motor integration and its influence on sound production. The methodologies required include developmental and behavioral studies as well as electrophysiological characterization of neuronal activity and electrical stimulation of (pre-)frontal/premotor areas. Three unique animal models, otherwise found scattered in the published literature, are brought together here: (1) the lesser spear-nosed bat (Phyllostomus discolor) as an animal model for audio-vocal learning; (2) the mustached bat (Pteronotus parnellii) as an animal for modeling syntax processing at the auditory cortical single-unit level; (3) the short-tailed fruit bat (Carollia perspicillata) as an animal model elucidating cortical audio-motor integration. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.