Cracking the neural code for vocal communication
Exchanging sounds is a key form of communication for humans and many other animals. Correctly interpreting patterns of vocal sounds is essential for building strong social bonds with others, but is a real challenge for the brain of the listener. My work aims to find out: how do neurons in our brain enable us to successfully communicate with each other? How is the neural coding of vocal communication affected by hearing loss or psychiatric disorders, and how can we accelerate the development of new therapies
I am a neuroscientist at the Ear Institute , University College London. My research investigates how neurons in the brain of mice respond to and encode vocal communication signals during natural social interactions. To do this, I combine the ethological study of natural mouse social behaviour with the ensemble recording and manipulation of neuronal circuits. My goal is to reveal the neuronal mechanisms underlying the interpretation of vocal sequences by the listener, and advance our understanding of hearing