Elucidating the neural bases of marmoset vocalizations: functional analysis of the primary and premotor cortices

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06949
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Setsuie Rieko (市原理恵子) 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 脳神経科学研究センター, 研究員 (30532535)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: マーモセット / 発声

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to identify neurons in the primary and premotor motor cortices that contribute to volitional vocalization in marmosets and clarify their anatomical projection targets. Therefore, I (1) constructed a vocalization task to encourage volitional vocalization in marmosets, (2) mapped the orofacial area of the primary and premotor cortex using electrical stimulation, and (3) constructed a wide-field two-photon imaging system to identify a set of neurons in primary and premotor cortices responsible for volitional control of forelimb movements using marmosets conducting a forelimb movement task. I plan to perform wide-field two-photon imaging using marmosets performing a vocalization task and to identify neuronal groups that contribute to volitional vocalization.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ヒト以外の哺乳動物で、随意的発声を促すための発声課題の構築はこれまで、マカクサルとマーモセットでしか行われておらず、マーモセットを対象とした発声課題の遂行は世界でも１例しか報告がない。本研究によって、随意的発声における前頭葉神経活動計測の研究基盤を整えたことにより、今後随意的発声に寄与する神経回路を明らかにすることが可能になり、ヒトにおいて喉頭筋等の発声器官に損傷が見られないにもかかわらず、発声障害がみられる疾患等の神経基盤の解明の一助となることが期待される。