Song Learning and Fluctuating Brain Estrogens

学习依赖于大脑中被称为神经调节剂的小分子的活动。常见的神经调节剂包括多巴胺和血清素，它们与从蠕虫到人类的动物的学习和记忆有关。目前的工作将探索最近发现的神经调节系统：大脑内雌激素的产生。一系列的研究将检验大脑雌激素的产生如何支持学习复杂的运动序列。了解大脑产生自身雌激素供应的能力，可能会为认知、记忆和脊椎动物中常见的基本神经回路的功能开辟新的视角。雌激素通常被认为是由卵巢分泌的生殖激素，但现在很清楚，雌激素是在男性和女性的大脑中产生的。多种方法的结合将检验一种假设，即雌激素可以在大脑回路中产生，以迅速加强对最近经历的巩固。鸣禽为研究学习和记忆歌曲的潜在大脑机制提供了一个绝佳的机会。鸣禽的鸣叫学习和人类的语言/言语学习之间存在大量的神经和行为相似之处。幼年鸣禽通常在短暂的关键感官时期从成年导师那里学习歌曲。最近一种优化的方法可以测量和操纵行为鸣禽的大脑雌激素，当它们从歌曲导师那里学习和巩固新歌时。由于雌激素与包括人类在内的许多动物的学习和记忆有关，因此这项研究可能会产生重大影响。这项工作还将涉及培训来自代表性不足群体的学生进行多学科综合研究和外联活动。

Learning is dependent on the actions of small molecules in the brain, called neuromodulators. Common neuromodulators include dopamine and serotonin, which are involved in learning and memory in animals from worms to humans. The current work will explore a recently-identified neuromodulator system: the production of estrogens within the brain. A series of studies will examine how brain estrogen production may support learning complex motor sequences. Understanding the brain's ability to produce its own supply of estrogens may open up new perspectives on cognition, memory, and the function of basic neural circuits that are common among vertebrate animals. Estrogens are typically considered reproductive hormones secreted by the ovaries, yet it is now clear that estrogens are produced within the brain itself, in both males and females. A combination of approaches will test the hypothesis that estrogens can be produced within brain circuits to rapidly enhance the consolidation of recent experiences. Songbirds provide an exceptional opportunity to study the underlying brain mechanisms for the learning and memorization of song. There are substantial neural and behavioral parallels between song learning in songbirds and language/speech learning in humans. Juvenile songbirds typically learn songs from an adult tutor during a brief critical sensory period. A recently-optimized method enables the measurement and manipulation of brain estrogens in behaving songbirds while they learn from song tutors and consolidate new songs. Because estrogens have been associated with learning and memory in many animals, including human beings, this research therefore has potential for significant impacts. The work will also involve training students from underrepresented groups in multidisciplinary, integrative research and outreach activities.