Songbirds as experimental model for studying complex sequential behaviors and sensory-motor learning

Okumura Tetsu, Yamashit Yuichi, Okanoya Kazuo, Tani Jun.

Songbirds have been used widely as model organism for neuroscientists studying complex sequential behaviors and sensory-motor learning. Like human language, acquisition of singing behavior requires certain amount of learning and training in juvenile stage. This review paper focuses on (1) the existence of specialized neuronal circuits for singing behavior and (2) the mechanisms by which neural circuits generate song sequences. Especially, the contributions of NIf, an auditory relay nucleus, are introduced based on biological data and our recent model studies. These findings shall be used in model studies which elucidate some of the most fundamental questions in neuroscience.

The Brain and Neural Networks

日本神経回路学会

18

3

135

146

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jnns/18/3/18_3_135/_pdf/-char/ja