Neural and Endocrine Regulation of Vocal Communication

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9421319 Andrew H. Bass Verbal and non-verbal communication skills are widely used throughout the animal kingdom for mate selection and reproduction, food collection and formation of social structures. However, the brain mechanisms involved in communication are frequently complex and difficult to study. Dr. Bass, a highly regarded behavioral neuroendocrinologist, has identified and characterized a unique neural system of vocal communication in a simple vertebrate species during his previous investigations. This system is unique in that a single muscle is responsible for the generation of sound. In the present study, Dr. Bass will use a highly creative and integrative approach to study the brain mechanisms involved in generating rhythmical vocal behaviors and the role of androgens in gender-specific differentiation of that circuitry and behavior. Previous studies identified a brain command center for vocal behavior and electrical recordings will be used to determine the anatomical connections of the system. Additional studies will investigate the ability of androgenic hormones to act within this command center to facilitate the development of vocal behaviors in these animals. These studies have the potential to define the actions of hormones on neural pathways leading to behavior changes, which may be applicable to other species including man.