Endocrine mechanisms define brain plasticity in songbirds

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18566
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Morphology/Structure
• Research Institution: Nihon institute of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Kenta 日本医療科学大学, 保健医療学部, 助教 (60548965)
• Research Collaborator: OOTANI Tamio 進化生物学研究所
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 鳴禽 / 脳可塑性 / 内分泌 / 歌神経 / カナリア / ジュウシマツ / ハシボソガラス / 歌学習

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Generally, songbirds learn songs as juveniles. Some songbirds such as canary, however, are able to learn songs every year and display brain plasticity even in adulthood. In order to investigate brain plasticity, we studied the song system of songbirds as a model. Continuous recording revealed seasonal changes in song behavior in canary, while offering insights into the song-like behavior of carrion crow. Environment and stress factors probably influence brain plasticity, primarily, through stress-related genes. Stress-related gene expression was confirmed in the song nuclei. An analysis of the concentrations of various hormones in the blood did not reveal differences in stress hormone concentration before and after song re-learning. We, however, noted changes in androgen levels. The levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, which is involved in promoting neurogenesis of the song nucleus, also increased during song re-learning.

Free Research Field

分子行動神経学