What songbirds teach us about learning

Brainard, Michael S.; Doupe, Allison J.

doi:10.1038/417351a

Cited by 491 publications

(423 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…Cajal's harsh decree had been questioned as early as the 1960s (Altman, 1962), and clearly demonstrated to be false in songbirds who, so to speak, regrow certain brain structures each breeding season, (Nottebohm, 2002;Brainard and Doupe, 2002). It generally maintained its grip until the 1990s.…”

Section: Neurogenesis In the Adult Brainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can endocrine disruptors influence neuroplasticity in the aging brain?

Weiss

2007

NeuroToxicology

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Only within the last two decades has the adult mammalian brain been recognized for its ability to generate new nerve cells and other neural structures and in essence to rewire itself. Although hippocampal structures have received the greatest scrutiny, other sites, including the cerebral cortex, also display this potential. Such processes remain active in the aging brain, although to a lesser degree. Two of the factors known to induce neurogenesis are environmental enrichment and physical activity. Gonadal hormones, however, also play crucial roles. Androgens and estrogens are both required for the preservation of cognitive function during aging and apparently help counteract the risk of Alzheimer's disease. One overlooked threat to hormonal adequacy that requires close examination is the abundance of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with gonadal function. They come in the form of estrogenic mimics, androgen mimics, anti-estrogens, antiandrogens, and in a variety of other guises. Because our brains are in continuous transition throughout the lifespan, responding both to environmental circumstances and to changing levels of gonadal steroids, endocrine-disrupting chemicals possess the potential to impair neurogenesis, and represent a hazard for the preservation of cognitive function during the later stages of the life cycle.

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Section: Neurogenesis In the Adult Brainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can endocrine disruptors influence neuroplasticity in the aging brain?

Weiss

2007

NeuroToxicology

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“…As song is a behavioural trait, the basis for this must lie in the underlying neural pathways that control song production. The song control system contains two major forebrain nuclei that are involved in the production of learned vocal patterns, the HVc (High Vocal Centre) and the RA (nucleus robustus archistriatalis) (Nottebohm et al 1976;Vu et al 1994;Yu & Margoliash 1996;reviewed in DeVoogd & Lauay 2001;Brainard & Doupe 2002). Studies, both between and within species, have now shown that the volume of HVc is positively correlated with increasing song complexity (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Song and the song control pathway in the brain can develop independently of exposure to song in the sedge warbler

Leitner

Nicholson

Leisler

et al. 2002

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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Previous studies have shown that female sedge warblers choose to mate with males that have more complex songs, and sexual selection has driven the evolution of both song complexity and the size of the major song control area (HVc) in the brain. In songbirds, learning from conspeci cs plays a major role in song development and this study investigates the effects of isolation and exposure to song on song structure and the underlying song control system. Sibling pairs of hand-reared nestling sedge warblers were reared to sexual maturity under two conditions. Siblings in one group were reared individually in acoustic isolation in separate soundproof chambers. In the other group, siblings were reared together in an aviary with playback of recorded songs. The following spring, analysis of songs revealed that siblings reared in acoustic isolation produced normal song structures, including larger syllable repertoires than those exposed to song. We found no signi cant differences in the volumes of HVc, nucleus robustus archistnatalis, the lateral portion of the magnocellular nucleus and the density of dendritic spines between the two groups. Males exceeded females in all these measures, and also had a larger telencephalon. Our experiments show that complex song, sexual dimorphism in brain structure, and the size of song nuclei can all develop independently of exposure to song. These ndings have important implications for how sexual selection can operate upon a complex male trait such as song and how it may also shape the more general evolution of brain structure in songbirds.

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“…In many species of songbird, adult song, once learned, is extremely stereotyped from one rendition to the next, and there may be little detectable change in acoustic structure over periods of months or even years (reviewed in Brainard and Doupe 2002;Doupe and Kuhl 1999;Tchernichovski et al 2001). Hence adult "crystallized" song provides an example of an extremely well-learned motor skill.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%