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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with Auditory Stimulation in Songbirds
Published on: June 3, 2013
Auditory responses in multiple sensorimotor song system nuclei are co-modulated by behavioral state
Jessica A Cardin1, Marc F Schmidt
1Department of Biology and Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|January 16, 2004
Summary
Auditory responsiveness in the avian song system is modulated by behavioral state, with nucleus interfacialis (NIf) playing a key role. NIf influences auditory information flow to nucleus HVC, impacting song processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Avian Biology
Background:
- Auditory responsiveness in the avian song system's nucleus HVC is state-dependent.
- This modulation is absent in Field L, an indirect auditory input to HVC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate auditory responsiveness modulation by behavioral state in nucleus interfacialis (NIf).
- To determine NIf's role in auditory information flow to nucleus HVC.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous recordings of auditory responses in NIf and HVC.
- Pharmacological manipulation of NIf using muscimol and bicuculline.
- Recording of HVC responses following NIf manipulation.
Main Results:
- NIf auditory responsiveness is modulated by behavioral state, co-varying with HVC responses.
- Auditory responses in NIf and HVC lose selectivity for the bird's own song (BOS) during wakefulness.
- NIf manipulation significantly altered HVC auditory activity, with muscimol suppressing and bicuculline enhancing responses.
Conclusions:
- Nucleus HVC is not the primary site for behavioral state-dependent auditory modulation in the song system.
- Nucleus interfacialis (NIf) is crucial for modulating auditory information transmission to HVC.
- NIf's activity shapes HVC's auditory processing based on behavioral state.
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