How attention regulates auditory perception during song learning?

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16302
• Research Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Principal Investigator: KATIC Jelena 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 臨界期の神経メカニズム研究ユニット, 研究員 (10834947)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: song learning / attention

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Successful implementation of the Arch inhibitory opsin into birds' brains. All experiments are already done in 6 birds expressing the inhibitory opsin and 6 control birds. All analyses are already finished . Currently implementing excitatory opsin ChRmine in juvenile birds. We already developed a virus that successfully delivers the opsin and neurons that are expressing it with the high level of expressing in neuron soma. Currently improving the expression in neuron axon terminals by injecting axon-targeted ChRmine. Optogenetical testing of a new ChRmine opsin in parallel with electrophysiology in progress.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

We have a good expression of viruses.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Conducting optogenetic experiment with ChRmine injected into the LC of juvenile birds (at least 6 birds) and stimulating the neural terminals in the NCM 3 weeks latter, combined with electrophysiology in the NCM. The whole experiment will be done during the process of song learning. Testing if the juvenile bird can learn from the song playback if the LC-NCM inputs are stimulated.

Causes of Carryover

For buying NeuroNexus opto-electrodes to conduct the experiments.