Autroradiographic demonstration with 2-[(14)C]deoxyglucose of frequency selectivity in the auditory system of cats under conditions of functional activity.

2-[(14)C]deoxyglucose was injected into 3 cats, each of whom was presented with a tone of a different frequency under controlled auditory conditions. Clear selective labelling was observed in autoradiographs of the cochlear nucleus, parts of the superior olivary complex, the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus and the inferior colliculus. No selective labelling was observed in autoradiographs of the medial geniculate body and the auditory cortex. The labelling observed in the cochlear nucleus and the inferior colliculus was in agreement with previous studies of both the physiology and anatomy of these regions and for the first time provides an anatomical demonstration of the organization of frequency selectivity under conditions of functional activity.