Imaging the human auditory system at ultrahigh magnetic fields

This PhD research is about measuring the auditory system in the living human brain. Not only mapping the brain surface, but also going deep inside the brain to the brain stem and thalamus. It’s difficult to see and measure these deeper structures clearly, but they are essential to our auditory system and our hearing. Information contained in a sound takes a long trip by passing through these deep brain structures until it reaches the cortex. These deep brain structures have been studied for over a century, but only in animals or deceased people. Now there are modern measurement techniques for studying the auditory system in living people. A cutting-edge imaging technology to accomplish this was used in this research: ultra-high field (7 Tesla and above) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. Additionally, new algorithms and programmes to solve technical problems which are inevitable when using this highly advanced and new technology were developed.