Neural basis of syntactic information processing

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24220009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Neuroscience in general
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Dai 京都大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (90303817)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Abe Kentaro 京都大学, 医学研究科, 講師 (70462653) ; Hamaguchi Kosuke 京都大学, 医学研究科, 講師 (50415270) ; Matsui Ryosuke 京都大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (80633940) ; Hasegawa Taku 京都大学, 医学研究科, 特定助教 (90713256)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-05-31 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ソングバード / 音声学習 / 基底核 / 文法情報

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Songbirds communicate using vocal signals termed "songs" which are postnatally acquired by imitating conspecific adult vocalization like human languages, in addition to "calls" which are generally innate. To explore the development of the vocal system, which enables precise temporal control of vocal signals, we studied using transgenic songbirds. As a result, we found that genetic manipulation of activity of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) does not affect call development, while suppression of CREB activity significantly impairs song development. This indicates that neural-activity dependent gene regulation through CREB activity is essential for the establishment of vocalization which is acquired through imitative learning process.

Free Research Field

神経科学