Gideon Rothschild, Assistant Professor of Psychology
How the Brain Makes Sense of Sound
Abstract: Each day, our brain seamlessly processes sounds to support essential cognitive functions, like recognizing our baby's cry, engaging in conversation with a friend, learning from audiobooks, or identifying the familiar jingle of the ice cream truck. To achieve this, the brain decodes the physical properties of sound (such as its frequency) and connects them with relevant memories from past experiences—like the sweet taste of the ice cream you enjoyed last week. This complex process often leads to action: comforting our baby, replying to a friend, or rushing outside to catch the ice cream truck. In both humans and animals, the brain is constantly weaving together sounds, memories, and actions. In this talk, I will share some of my lab’s research in animal models, aiming to uncover how networks of neurons in the brain facilitate these intricate processes.
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