Changes in brain wiring during the sensitive period for vocal learning in songbirds

Sarah Bottjer, USC

April 1, 2009 @ 05:00 pm to 06:00 pm

108 Wartik Laboratory, CG623 Hershey

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Abstract The major goal of my lab is to understand how experience sculpts neural circuits for vocal learning during a restricted period of development. "Sensitive periods" of development are those in which brain and behavior are most susceptible to modification by experiential factors. Certain types of learning, such as for vocal behavior - occur only during sensitive periods of development, and coincide with heightened phases of neural plasticity. Songbirds are one of the few groups of organisms other than humans that learn vocal sounds used for communication during a sensitive period of development. Vocal learning and behavior are controlled by circuits of highly localized, interconnected neural circuits in the songbird brain. This brain-behavior system provides an ideal model in which to directly test neural mechanisms underlying perception and production of acquired vocal sounds used for communication.

Contact

Alex Kozhevnikov
aak10@psu.edu
865-7533