In the auditory streaming paradigm, alternating sequences of pure tones can be perceived as a single galloping rhythm (integration) or as two sequences with separated low and high tones (segregation). Although studied for decades, the neural mechanisms underlining this perceptual grouping of sound remains a mystery. With the aim of identifying a plausible minimal neural circuit that captures this phenomenon, we propose a firing rate model with two periodically forced neural populations coupled by fast direct excitation and slow delayed inhibition. By analyzing the model in a non-smooth, slow-fast regime we analytically prove the existence of a rich repertoire of dynamical states and of their parameter dependent transitions. We impose plausible parameter restrictions and link all states with perceptual interpretations. Regions of stimulus parameters occupied by states linked with each percept match those found in behavioural experiments. Our model suggests that slow inhibition masks the perception of subsequent tones during segregation (forward masking), whereas fast excitation enables integration for large pitch differences between the two tones.

中文翻译：

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听觉流从快速激发和缓慢延迟抑制中产生

在听觉流式范例中，纯音的交替序列可被视为单个舞动节奏（整合）或具有低音和高音分离的两个序列（分离）。尽管研究了数十年，但强调这种声音的感知分组的神经机制仍然是个谜。为了确定捕获这种现象的合理的最小神经回路，我们提出了一种具有两个周期性强迫神经种群的快速放电模型，该种群由快速直接激励和缓慢延迟抑制耦合。通过在非平稳，慢速状态下分析模型，我们可以分析性地证明存在丰富的动力学状态及其依赖于参数的过渡。我们强加了合理的参数限制，并将所有状态与感知解释联系在一起。与每个感知相关的状态所占据的刺激参数区域与行为实验中的区域相匹配。我们的模型表明，慢速抑制会掩盖分离过程中后续音调的感知（正向掩蔽），而快速激励则可以整合两个音调之间的大音高差异。