The role of the dorsal auditory stream in auditory-motor coordination

Rhythmic auditory stimulation is a salient cue used to guide coordinated movement. The cortical mechanism that is thought to facilitate auditory-motor coordination involves the functional and structural connections of the dorsal auditory stream. The right temporal parietal junction acts as a relay center within the dorsal auditory stream, connecting auditory and motor cortical areas. Two well studied auditory-motor coordination tasks, synchronization and syncopation are reviewed to better understand the role of the dorsal stream in motor coordination. Furthermore, the use of non-invasive brain stimulation is introduced as a possible method to modulate the flow of information through the auditory and motor cortical areas via the dorsal auditory stream. This report aims to set the stage for the investigation of the acute behavioral and cortical effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on auditory-motor coordination.