Origins of the Scalp-Recorded Frequency-Following Response in the Cat

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Abstract
The frequency-following response (FFR) is a short-latency scalp-recorded evoked potential elicited by the presentation of low-frequency acoustic stimuli. It is thought to be the result of the synchronous electrical activity in brain stem auditory nuclei to each wave in the acoustic signal. An attempt was made to determine the generators of the FFR in the cat by analysis of the response and by section of brain stem auditory nuclei and tracts. The cochlear nuclei contribute .apprx. 50% of the amplitude of the scalp-recorded FFR in the cat. The cochlea also makes a significant contribution, accounting for an average of nearly 25% of the response amplitude. The superior olivary nuclei (and/or the nuclei of the lateral lemnisci) account for about 20% of the response amplitude. The contributions from the inferior colliculi (contrary to earlier studies) were found to be relatively insignificant. As a consequence of the existence of multiple generators, the FFR amplitude waxes and wanes with changing stimulus frequency. There is a discrete area of hair cell excitation for each stimulus frequency involved in the mediation of the FFR, suggestion that scalp-recorded FFR could be used to ascertain low-frequency hearing sensitivity in uncooperative human subjects.

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