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Auditory feedback in learning and maintenance of vocal behaviour
1Keck Center for Integrative Neuroscience, Departments of Physiology and Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 0444, USA. msb@phy.ucsf.edu
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|March 17, 2001
Summary
Vocal learning in songbirds relies on hearing. Adult song stability is maintained by auditory feedback, similar to song learning mechanisms, involving basal ganglia circuitry.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Bioacoustics
Background:
- Songbirds are a key model for vocal learning, with learning dependent on auditory input.
- While adult song is often stable, recent findings show it can change, highlighting song maintenance mechanisms.
- Understanding vocal learning and maintenance offers insights into human speech acquisition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review processes in song learning and production, focusing on auditory feedback.
- To explore neural substrates, particularly basal ganglia, in vocal behavior.
- To compare song learning with human speech learning for general principles.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on song learning, production, and maintenance.
- Emphasis on the role of auditory feedback in vocal learning.
- Discussion of neural circuitry, including basal ganglia, in vocal control.
Main Results:
- Auditory feedback is crucial for both initial song learning and ongoing song maintenance.
- Adult song stability is not absolute and can be influenced by sensory experience.
- Basal ganglia circuitry is a likely neural substrate for vocal learning and maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Mechanisms for song maintenance in adults share similarities with song learning processes.
- Studies of songbirds and human speech learning offer complementary insights.
- Auditory feedback and basal ganglia are key to understanding vocal learning and maintenance.