The role of allostasis in auditory-motor integration in infancy

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14253
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 10040:Experimental psychology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Shinya Yuta 東京大学, 大学院教育学研究科(教育学部), 特任助教 (20803828)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 乳児 / 聴覚運動統合 / 自律神経系 / アロスタシス / 運動 / 発声 / 心拍 / 音楽性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of regulating predictive homeostasis in the process of auditory-motor sensory integration in infancy. The process of change in behavior and physiological activity and the interaction between the two were examined. As a result, the applicant found that 3-month-old infants increase the frequency of locomotion through the auditory experience of limb movements, and also suppress the increase in heart rate by anticipating the timing of auditory feedback. These results suggest that the cardiovascular system may be under anticipatory control during auditory-motor learning in infancy and that anticipatory control of the cardiovascular system may underlies more sophisticated goal-directed and musical behaviors.

Free Research Field

発達認知神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、新規の聴覚-運動関係の統合学習の過程における心血管系の予期的制御を詳細に検討したものであり、後の音声言語や音楽性の発達に重要な聴覚-運動統合の神経生理学的機序の解明に示唆を与えると考えられる。また、聴覚フィードバックを用いた運動機能のリハビリテーションは、すでにパーキンソン病患者や高齢者などを対象に行われているが、運動や自己制御発達に困難さを抱えるリスク児 (早産児など) に対し、聴覚フィードバックを用いた発達支援の提案に貢献する可能性がある。