The Morphology and Axonal Organization of Single Neurons Involved in Sensory/Motor Integration in the Song System

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9309771 Margoliash One of the most exciting and fruitful model systems in neuroethology is learned bird song. Adult male songbirds have unique song repertoires which they use to defend territories and attract mates. Production of these songs is under the control of an elaborate system of brain nuclei whose development parallels the emergence of crystalized (nonplastic) song. These developmental processes are influenced by auditory feedback and steroid hormones. This NSF grant will enable Dr. Margoliash to purchase equipment to set up a novel method of tracing the connections between these brain nuclei. Using these novel techniques he will be able to determine how auditory information is transmitted from the sensory nuclei to the executive system that patterns song. This information will be important for our understanding of the development of complex behaviors, sexual differentiation and the design of feedback controlled neural networks and robotics systems.***