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Abstract:
The anatomy of the mammalian auditory pathway has been
extensively documented. However, the examination of sites of
possible auditory-motor integration has been minimal. Recent
research has shown strong evidence for rapid motor entrainment via
auditory rhythm enhancing motor learning and therapies. We
conducted a thorough neuroanatomical review in order to identify
candidates for possible auditory-motor integration areas. After
examining ascending and descending auditory pathways for their
connections with motor structures two main sites were identified.
The first is the inferior colliculus (IC) , the primary source of
ascending information to the auditory thalamus. This could be a
possible area of integration due to its connections to multisensory
structures affecting motor systems, such as the reticular
formation. In addition, the lateral nucleus of the IC projects to
the nucleus pontis and cerebellum. Cortical areas such as posterior
insula may also facilitate auditory-motor interactions. It
processes auditory cortex input as well as input from the
supplementary motor area, premotor area, and superior parietal
lobe, areas involved in calculating and planning complex motor
movements. The speed, precision, and robustness of rhythmic
auditory-motor transformations require the existence of a network
suggestive of direct sensorimotor coupling at early stages of
neural processing. IC and insular structures may constitute
important functional components of such a network.
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