Neuronal Mechanism of the critical period of bird song learning

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24500403
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neuroscience in general
• Research Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Principal Investigator: YAZAKI-SUGIYAMA Yoko 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, 准教授 (00317512)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 歌学習 / 臨界期 / 経験依存的可塑性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study we have investigated how early auditory experience shapes the neuronal circuits during the zebra finch bird song learning. We recorded the auditory neuronal responses to varieties of song stimulation, before, during and after sensory song learning, and found that a subset of neurons secondary auditory cortex become to show exclusive responses to learned father songs. Moreover neurons decreased selectivity to the learned song by blocking of GABA inhibitory circuit by local injection of GABA receptor antagonist, gabazine. Those suggest early auditory experience in the developmental critical period recruits GABA inhibitory circuits in the auditory association cortex, which lead to sparse memory auditory father experience. formed in a subset of neurons.

Free Research Field

神経生物学