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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
10:53
Real-time Imaging of Axonal Transport of Quantum Dot-labeled BDNF in Primary Neurons
Published on: September 15, 2014
A relationship between behavior, neurotrophin expression, and new neuron survival
X C Li1, E D Jarvis, B Alvarez-Borda
1The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021; and Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Summary
Singing increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in adult male canaries
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Neurobiology
Background:
- The high vocal center (HVC) in songbirds controls song production.
- Adult songbirds generate new neurons in the HVC, many projecting to the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of singing on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the HVC of adult male canaries.
- To determine if singing influences the survival of new HVC neurons.
Main Methods:
- Measured mRNA and protein expression of BDNF in the HVC of singing and non-singing canaries.
- Tracked the survival of new HVC neurons using BrdUrd labeling in singing and non-singing birds.
Main Results:
- Singing significantly enhanced BDNF expression in the HVC, proportional to song production.
- Increased BDNF expression was primarily observed in RA-projecting neurons within the HVC.
- New HVC neuron survival was significantly greater in singing birds compared to non-singing birds.
Conclusions:
- Singing positively influences neurotrophin expression and new neuron survival in the adult canary HVC.
- Pathway use, neurotrophin expression, and new neuron survival may be causally linked in adult neurogenic systems.
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