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Team finds mouse brain area that links sounds to rewards

University of Oregon scientists researching the basics of how sound processing contributes to behavior have identified a portion of the brain, at least in mice, that integrates sound, action and reward expectation.

Researchers have known that signals generated by sounds go from the ears to the brain stem, thalamus and auditory cortex. Missing has been how the signals are used by other brain areas for decision-making and action.


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