Eric I. Knudsen

Administrative Appointments

• Chair, Stanford University School of Medicine - Neurobiology , (2001– 2005 )
• Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine - Neurobiology , (1988– present )

Honors and Awards

• Karl Spencer Lashley Award, American Philosophical Society (2008)
• Peter Gruber Prize in Neuroscience, Society for Neuroscience (2005)
• Member, National Academy of Sciences (2002)
• Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professorship, Stanford University School of Medicine (1995)
• Troland Research Award, National Academy of Sciences (1988)
• Young Investigator Award, Society for Neuroscience (1984)
• Newcomb Cleveland Prize, American Association for the Advancement of Science (1978)
• Claude Pepper Award, National Institute of Deafness and Communicative Disorders (1991)
• W. Alden Spencer Award, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University (2002)
• Givaudan-Roure Award, Association for Chemoreception Sciences (1996)
• Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1996)

Professional Education

• B.A., UC, Santa Barbara Zoology (1971)
• M.A., UC, Santa Barbara Neuroscience (1973)
• Ph.D., UC, San Diego Neuroscience (1976)

Postdoctoral Advisees

• Ali Asadollahi, Catherine Dunn, Carson Goddard, Shreesh Mysore

Graduate & Fellowship Program Affiliations

• Neurobiology
• Neurosciences

Community & International Work

• National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, Washington D.C. More »

Research Interests

We study mechanisms of attention, learning and strategies of information processing in the central auditory system of developing and adult barn owls, using neurophysiological, pharmacological, anatomical and behavioral techniques. Studies focus on the process of sound localization. Sound localization is shaped powerfully by an animal's auditory and visual experience. Experiments are being conducted to elucidate developmental influences, extent and time course of this learning process, and its dependence on visual feedback. The cellular mechanisms that underlie this example of learning are being studied to determine how experience adaptively alters the anatomical, pharmacological and functional properties of the brain in developing and adult animals. In addition, we study mechanisms of attention (gain control of sensory responses) and the rules by which auditory and visual information is combined into a single representation in the brain. Techniques offered in this laboratory include acoustic stimulation, extracellular recording, microstimulation, neuropharmacology, immunohistochemistry, anatomical pathway tracing, and behavioral analysis.

Publications

• A Hebbian learning rule mediates asymmetric plasticity in aligning sensory representations. Witten IB,  Knudsen EI, Sompolinsky H.  J Neurophysiol.  2008; 100 (2): 1067-79
• Distinct mechanisms for top-down control of neural gain and sensitivity in the owl optic tectum. Winkowski DE,  Knudsen EI.  Neuron.  2008; 60 (4): 698-708
• Fundamental components of attention. Knudsen EI,  Annu Rev Neurosci.  2007; 30 57-78
• Top-down control of multimodal sensitivity in the barn owl optic tectum. Winkowski DE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2007; 27 (48): 13279-91
• Intrinsic excitability of cholinergic neurons in the rat parabigeminal nucleus. Goddard CA,  Knudsen EI, Huguenard JR.  J Neurophysiol.  2007; 98 (6): 3486-93
• Adaptive auditory plasticity in developing and adult animals. Keuroghlian AS,  Knudsen EI.  Prog Neurobiol.  2007; 82 (3): 109-21
• Adaptation in the auditory space map of the barn owl. Gutfreund Y,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  2006; 96 (2): 813-25
• Auditory and visual space maps in the cholinergic nucleus isthmi pars parvocellularis of the barn owl. Maczko KA,  Knudsen PF, Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2006; 26 (49): 12799-806
• Dynamic shifts in the owl's auditory space map predict moving sound location. Witten IB,  Bergan JF, Knudsen EI.  Nat Neurosci.  2006; 9 (11): 1439-45
• Economic, neurobiological, and behavioral perspectives on building America's future workforce. Knudsen EI,  Heckman JJ, Cameron JL, Shonkoff JP.  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.  2006; 103 (27): 10155-62
• Top-down gain control of the auditory space map by gaze control circuitry in the barn owl. Winkowski DE,  Knudsen EI.  Nature.  2006; 439 (7074): 336-9
• Hunting increases adaptive auditory map plasticity in adult barn owls. Bergan JF,  Ro P, Ro D, Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2005; 25 (42): 9816-20
• Why seeing is believing: merging auditory and visual worlds. Witten IB,  Knudsen EI.  Neuron.  2005; 48 (3): 489-96
• Anatomical traces of juvenile learning in the auditory system of adult barn owls. Linkenhoker BA,  von der Ohe CG, Knudsen EI.  Nat Neurosci.  2005; 8 (1): 93-8
• Multiple sites of adaptive plasticity in the owl's auditory localization pathway. DeBello WM,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2004; 24 (31): 6853-61
• Sensitive periods in the development of the brain and behavior. Knudsen EI,  J Cogn Neurosci.  2004; 16 (8): 1412-25
• Adaptive plasticity in the auditory thalamus of juvenile barn owls. Miller GL,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2003; 23 (3): 1059-65
• Incremental training increases the plasticity of the auditory space map in adult barn owls. Linkenhoker BA,  Knudsen EI.  Nature.  2002; 419 (6904): 293-6
• Instructed learning in the auditory localization pathway of the barn owl. Knudsen EI,  Nature.  2002; 417 (6886): 322-8
• Gated visual input to the central auditory system. Gutfreund Y,  Zheng W, Knudsen EI.  Science.  2002; 297 (5586): 1556-9
• The optic tectum controls visually guided adaptive plasticity in the owl's auditory space map. Hyde PS,  Knudsen EI.  Nature.  2002; 415 (6867): 73-6
• A topographic instructive signal guides the adjustment of the auditory space map in the optic tectum. Hyde PS,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2001; 21 (21): 8586-93
• Gabaergic inhibition antagonizes adaptive adjustment of the owl's auditory space map during the initial phase of plasticity. Zheng W,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2001; 21 (12): 4356-65
• Early auditory experience induces frequency-specific, adaptive plasticity in the forebrain gaze fields of the barn owl. Miller GL,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  2001; 85 (5): 2184-94
• Adaptive axonal remodeling in the midbrain auditory space map. DeBello WM,  Feldman DE, Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2001; 21 (9): 3161-74
• Adaptive adjustment of connectivity in the inferior colliculus revealed by focal pharmacological inactivation. Gold JI,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  2001; 85 (4): 1575-84
• A site of auditory experience-dependent plasticity in the neural representation of auditory space in the barn owl's inferior colliculus. Gold JI,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2000; 20 (9): 3469-86
• Topographic projection from the optic tectum to the auditory space map in the inferior colliculus of the barn owl. Hyde PS,  Knudsen EI.  J Comp Neurol.  2000; 421 (2): 146-60
• Traces of learning in the auditory localization pathway. Knudsen EI,  Zheng W, DeBello WM.  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.  2000; 97 (22): 11815-20
• Abnormal auditory experience induces frequency-specific adjustments in unit tuning for binaural localization cues in the optic tectum of juvenile owls. Gold JI,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  2000; 20 (2): 862-77
• Mechanisms of experience-dependent plasticity in the auditory localization pathway of the barn owl. Knudsen EI,  J Comp Physiol A.  1999; 185 (4): 305-21
• Hearing impairment induces frequency-specific adjustments in auditory spatial tuning in the optic tectum of young owls. Gold JI,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1999; 82 (5): 2197-209
• Functional selection of adaptive auditory space map by GABAA-mediated inhibition. Zheng W,  Knudsen EI.  Science.  1999; 284 (5416): 962-5
• Early visual experience shapes the representation of auditory space in the forebrain gaze fields of the barn owl. Miller GL,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1999; 19 (6): 2326-36
• Pharmacological specialization of learned auditory responses in the inferior colliculus of the barn owl. Feldman DE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1998; 18 (8): 3073-87
• Experience-dependent plasticity and the maturation of glutamatergic synapses. Feldman DE,  Knudsen EI.  Neuron.  1998; 20 (6): 1067-71
• Forebrain pathway for auditory space processing in the barn owl. Cohen YE,  Miller GL, Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1998; 79 (2): 891-902
• Capacity for plasticity in the adult owl auditory system expanded by juvenile experience. Knudsen EI,  Science.  1998; 279 (5356): 1531-3
• Representation of binaural spatial cues in field L of the barn owl forebrain. Cohen YE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1998; 79 (2): 879-90
• An anatomical basis for visual calibration of the auditory space map in the barn owl's midbrain. Feldman DE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1997; 17 (17): 6820-37
• Representation of frequency in the primary auditory field of the barn owl forebrain. Cohen YE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1996; 76 (6): 3682-92
• Contribution of the forebrain archistriatal gaze fields to auditory orienting behavior in the barn owl. Knudsen EI,  Knudsen PF.  Exp Brain Res.  1996; 108 (1): 23-32
• Disruption of auditory spatial working memory by inactivation of the forebrain archistriatum in barn owls. Knudsen EI,  Knudsen PF.  Nature.  1996; 383 (6599): 428-31
• Newly learned auditory responses mediated by NMDA receptors in the owl inferior colliculus. Feldman DE,  Brainard MS, Knudsen EI.  Science.  1996; 271 (5248): 525-8
• Binaural tuning of auditory units in the forebrain archistriatal gaze fields of the barn owl: local organization but no space map. Cohen YE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1995; 15 (7 Pt 2): 5152-68
• Characterization of a forebrain gaze field in the archistriatum of the barn owl: microstimulation and anatomical connections. Knudsen EI,  Cohen YE, Masino T.  J Neurosci.  1995; 15 (7 Pt 2): 5139-51
• Creating a unified representation of visual and auditory space in the brain. Knudsen EI,  Brainard MS.  Annu Rev Neurosci.  1995; 18 19-43
• Dynamics of visually guided auditory plasticity in the optic tectum of the barn owl. Brainard MS,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1995; 73 (2): 595-614
• Supervised learning in the brain. Knudsen EI,  J Neurosci.  1994; 14 (7): 3985-97
• NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptors in auditory transmission in the barn owl inferior colliculus. Feldman DE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1994; 14 (10): 5939-58
• Site of auditory plasticity in the brain stem (VLVp) of the owl revealed by early monaural occlusion. Mogdans J,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1994; 72 (6): 2875-91
• Auditory tuning for spatial cues in the barn owl basal ganglia. Cohen YE,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1994; 72 (1): 285-98
• Representation of interaural level difference in the VLVp, the first site of binaural comparison in the barn owl's auditory system. Mogdans J,  Knudsen EI.  Hear Res.  1994; 74 (1-2): 148-64
• Adaptive plasticity of the auditory space map in the optic tectum of adult and baby barn owls in response to external ear modification. Knudsen EI,  Esterly SD, Olsen JF.  J Neurophysiol.  1994; 71 (1): 79-94
• Experience-dependent plasticity in the inferior colliculus: a site for visual calibration of the neural representation of auditory space in the barn owl. Brainard MS,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1993; 13 (11): 4589-608
• Early monaural occlusion alters the neural map of interaural level differences in the inferior colliculus of the barn owl. Mogdans J,  Knudsen EI.  Brain Res.  1993; 619 (1-2): 29-38
• Parallel pathways mediating both sound localization and gaze control in the forebrain and midbrain of the barn owl. Knudsen EI,  Knudsen PF, Masino T.  J Neurosci.  1993; 13 (7): 2837-52
• Orienting head movements resulting from electrical microstimulation of the brainstem tegmentum in the barn owl. Masino T,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1993; 13 (1): 351-70
• Neural derivation of sound source location: resolution of spatial ambiguities in binaural cues. Brainard MS,  Knudsen EI, Esterly SD.  J Acoust Soc Am.  1992; 91 (2): 1015-27
• Adaptive adjustment of unit tuning to sound localization cues in response to monaural occlusion in developing owl optic tectum. Mogdans J,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurosci.  1992; 12 (9): 3473-84
• Vision-independent adjustment of unit tuning to sound localization cues in response to monaural occlusion in developing owl optic tectum. Knudsen EI,  Mogdans J.  J Neurosci.  1992; 12 (9): 3485-93
• Anatomical pathways from the optic tectum to the spinal cord subserving orienting movements in the barn owl. Masino T,  Knudsen EI.  Exp Brain Res.  1992; 92 (2): 194-208
• Visual instruction of the neural map of auditory space in the developing optic tectum. Knudsen EI,  Brainard MS.  Science.  1991; 253 (5015): 85-7
• Dynamic space codes in the superior colliculus. Knudsen EI,  Curr Opin Neurobiol.  1991; 1 (4): 628-32
• Stretched and upside-down maps of auditory space in the optic tectum of blind-reared owls; acoustic basis and behavioral correlates. Knudsen EI,  Esterly SD, du Lac S.  J Neurosci.  1991; 11 (6): 1727-47
• Early visual deprivation results in a degraded motor map in the optic tectum of barn owls. du Lac S,  Knudsen EI.  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.  1991; 88 (8): 3426-30
• Sensitive and critical periods for visual calibration of sound localization by barn owls. Knudsen EI,  Knudsen PF.  J Neurosci.  1990; 10 (1): 222-32
• Horizontal and vertical components of head movement are controlled by distinct neural circuits in the barn owl. Masino T,  Knudsen EI.  Nature.  1990; 345 (6274): 434-7
• Neural maps of head movement vector and speed in the optic tectum of the barn owl. du Lac S,  Knudsen EI.  J Neurophysiol.  1990; 63 (1): 131-46
• Vision calibrates sound localization in developing barn owls. Knudsen EI,  Knudsen PF.  J Neurosci.  1989; 9 (9): 3306-13
• Visuomotor adaptation to displacing prisms by adult and baby barn owls. Knudsen EI,  Knudsen PF.  J Neurosci.  1989; 9 (9): 3297-305
• Neural maps of interaural time and intensity differences in the optic tectum of the barn owl. Olsen JF,  Knudsen EI, Esterly SD.  J Neurosci.  1989; 9 (7): 2591-605
• Fused binocular vision is required for development of proper eye alignment in barn owls. Knudsen EI,  Vis Neurosci.  1989; 2 (1): 35-40
• Early blindness results in a degraded auditory map of space in the optic tectum of the barn owl. Knudsen EI,  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.  1988; 85 (16): 6211-4
• Neural derivation of sound source location in the barn owl. An example of a computational map. Knudsen EI,  Ann N Y Acad Sci.  1987; 510 33-8