Is the neocortex fundamentally multisensory? A look at the evidence.   PhD. Christoph Kayser (Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.) PhD. Asif Ghazanfar (Princeton University,  Princeton, USA.)

Sensory neurobiology is traditionally investigated one modality at a time, though it has long been known that real world behaviour is mediated by integrating information from multiple sensory sources. A number of recent results suggest that the neocortical underpinnings of this multisensory integration reach beyond association cortices and into early sensory cortical areas. This symposium will explore the role of multiple senses in driving behaviour and how the integration of multiple senses is mediated by neocortical operations in both humans and nonhuman primates.     Four experts will be brought together to present their recent work and discuss how understanding multisensory integration sheds light on fundamental questions related to sensory processing and large-scale interactions in the brain. The proposed speakers investigate this phenomenon using complementary methods – from fMRI and EEG to electrophysiology and behaviour – and using complementary data from both humans and monkeys.     Together, they will show that the pervasiveness of multisensory influences on sensory perception and on all levels of cortical processing will force neurobiologists to reconsider the practice of thinking about brain and behavior in unisensory terms. Micah Murray: Multisensory Interactions Redefine Unisensory Areas and Enrich Memories: Evidence from Electrical and Hemodynamic Neuroimaging in Humans. Nicholas P. Holmes: Body, brain & space: Multisensory perception by eyes, hands, & tools. Uta Noppeney: Audio-visual interactions within the cortical hierarchy. Christoph Kayser: Multisensory integration in early auditory areas.