Mice have long been known to use their whiskers to navigate their surroundings, but new research reveals that these delicate hairs also produce sound waves when they brush against objects. These sounds are processed by the auditory cortex, even when tactile input is blocked, suggesting that mice can interpret them as a separate sensory signal.
In behavioral tests, mice were able to identify objects using only the sounds generated by their whiskers, demonstrating a multisensory integration in their brain’s perception system. This breakthrough finding could inspire new directions in robotics, sensory rehabilitation, and brain research.
Key researchers Ilan Lampl and his team at the Weizmann Institute of Science recorded the sounds made by mouse whiskers probing different surfaces using sensitive microphones that can detect ultrasonic frequencies beyond human hearing range. They then measured neural activity in the auditory cortex of mice while they brushed their whiskers against various objects, finding that the auditory networks responded to the whisker-generated sounds.
When the researchers interrupted the pathways that convey tactile sensation from the whiskers, the auditory cortex still responded to the sounds, showing that mice could process them independently of touch. The team also used AI to analyze neural activity and sound recordings, confirming that the neural responses were caused directly by the sounds rather than other sensory information.
In a surprising finding, trained mice with abolished tactile sensation were able to accurately identify objects solely based on the sounds produced during whisking. This suggests that the mouse brain’s vibrissa system operates in an integrative, multimodal manner when exploring their surroundings.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, offering new possibilities for technological innovations in prosthetics, sensory rehabilitation, and robotics. By understanding how the brain integrates different types of sensory input, scientists may be able to develop new technologies that enhance perception and improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/whiskers-sensory-neuroscience-29134