DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Synaptic Plasticity Associated with Song Development

9520730大脑中的信息编码是通过细胞结构的改变和神经元间突触连接数量的变化来实现的。大脑被组织成离散的神经回路，处理特定类型的学习信息并控制特定的行为。当这些神经回路中的连接（突触）被改变时，回路的输出就会改变，它所控制的行为也会改变。这项研究的目的是增加对习得行为的发展和控制这种行为的神经回路的理解。一种自然发生的学习行为的发展，鸟的歌声，将与特定的与歌声相关的大脑区域内突触的发展有关。鸟类的鸣叫是一种复杂的习得行为，由一个高度局部的相互连接的神经元系统控制。在正常成长的个体和没有机会学习歌曲的个体中，与歌曲相关的大脑区域的突触数量将使用高倍电子显微镜进行量化。两组的歌唱行为和社会行为将被分析以关联神经解剖学和行为变化。初步数据表明，没有歌声的个体比正常饲养的个体拥有大约40%的突触。这可能表明，歌曲学习伴随着突触数量的大量减少。这项研究将增加我们的理解，不仅是对歌曲学习的神经基础，而且对不同动物种类的许多不同形式的学习重要的原则和机制。

9520730 Information is encoded in the brain by modifications in cellular structure and changes in numbers of synaptic connections between neurons. The brain is organized into discrete neural circuits which process specific types of learned information and control specific behaviors. When the connections (synapses) within these neural circuits are altered, the output of the circuit changes and the behavior that it controls is modified. The objective of this research is to increase understanding of the development of a learned behavior and the neural circuitry which controls that behavior. The development of one naturally occurring learned behavior, bird song, will be related to the development of synapses within specific song-related brain areas. Song in birds is a complex learned behavior that is controlled by a highly localized system of interconnected neurons. Synapse numbers in song-related brain areas of normally raised individuals and of individuals that have had no opportunity for song learning will be quantified using high magnification electron microscopy. The singing behavior and social behavior of both groups will be analyzed to correlate neuroanatomical and behavioral changes. Preliminary data indicate that song-deprived individuals possess approximately 40% more synapses than normally raised individuals. This may indicate that song learning is accompanied by a large scale reduction in synapse numbers. This research will increase our understanding, not just of the neural basis for song learning, but of principles and mechanisms important for many different forms of learning in different species of animals.