Attention Effect (fig. 1d) for the Different Neuroperception Superior Auditory Spatial Tuning in Conductors

groups indicates that conductors probably do not engage different neural populations to perform the task. From magnetoencephalographic recordings, the attention effect is known to arise in the secondary auditory cortex, an area also implicated from functional imaging. Improved learning-induced use of spectral cues generated by the head and outer ears, and analysed by the auditory cortex, might underlie the localization advantage experienced by conductors. Although conductors probably employ other mechanisms such as perceptual grouping to identify single musicians, our findings provide another example of how extensive training can shape cognitive processes and their neural underpinnings. Thomas F. Münte*, Christine Kohlmetz†‡, Wido Nager‡, Eckart Altenmüller† *Department of Neuropsychology, University of Magdeburg, PO Box 4120, 39016 Magdeburg, Germany e-mail: [email protected] †Institute for Music Physiology and Performing Arts Medicine, Hannover Academy of Music and Theatre, 30175 Hannover, Germany ‡Department of Neurology, Medical School Hannover, 30623 Hannover, Germany