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Electroencephalography Measurements in Awake Marmosets Listening to Conspecific Vocalizations
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Single neurons in monkey prefrontal cortex encode volitional initiation of vocalizations.

Steffen R Hage1, Andreas Nieder

  • 1Animal Physiology, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.

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|September 7, 2013
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Broca's area in monkeys controls vocalizations, challenging the view that non-human primate calls are purely emotional. This research reveals goal-directed vocal control in rhesus monkeys, suggesting an evolutionary basis for human speech.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Primate Behavior
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Broca's area in humans is vital for speech production.
  • Lesions in non-human primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) have minimal impact on vocal behavior.
  • Primate vocalizations are often considered affective and processed subcortically.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) in vocal control in rhesus monkeys.
  • To challenge the assumption that non-human primate vocalizations are solely affective.
  • To explore the potential homologous function of Broca's area in primates and humans.

Main Methods:

  • Single-cell recordings were performed in the vlPFC of rhesus monkeys.
  • Monkeys were trained to vocalize in response to visual cues.
  • Neural activity was analyzed in relation to instructed vocalizations and their parameters.

Main Results:

  • Call-related neurons in the vlPFC were identified that predict the preparation of instructed vocalizations.
  • The activity of these neurons correlated with specific parameters of the vocalizations.
  • Evidence suggests goal-directed control over vocalizations in rhesus monkeys.

Conclusions:

  • The monkey homologue of Broca's area plays a significant role in vocal planning and call initiation.
  • These findings suggest a phylogenetic precursor for speech control in non-human primates.
  • Rhesus monkeys exhibit goal-directed control over their vocalizations, contrary to previous assumptions.