Investigating Functions of Parallel Connections in the Zebra Finch Auditory Cortex for Memory Processing During Song Learning

研究项目正在取得强劲的进展，到目前为止，工作已经在几个国际会议上以海报形式和口头陈述的精选提交，在那里收到了科学界的积极反馈和建设性建议。我们已经完全优化了CFOS Teton/Off系统，并展示了NCM和CMM之间导师歌曲反应神经元的相互联系-这两个区域的高级听觉皮质被认为是处理听觉记忆的关键。我们还发现，在这两个大脑区域，教师鸣叫反应神经元和鸟类自身鸣叫反应神经元都存在于不同的个体群体中。我们正在继续这项工作，以评估它们来自大脑高级听觉皮质的投射。除此之外，为了提供更详细的微妙神经元行为的图像，我现在继续进行更详细的实验，通过对单个神经元的电生理学记录，进一步评估斑雀高等听觉皮质在歌曲学习中的作用。到目前为止，我已经优化了这种设置并生成了初始数据，除了前面描述的解剖数据外，这些数据在2022年11月的一次国际会议上受到了好评。

Research project is making strong progress and work to date has been presented at several international conferences in poster format and selection for oral presentation where it received positive feedback and constructive suggestions from the scientific community.We have fully optimised the Cfos TetON/OFF system and have shown reciprocal connections of tutor song responsive neurone between NCM and CMM - both areas of the higher auditory cortexconsidered to be essential for processing of auditory memories. We have also shown that tutor song responsive neurons and bird's own song responsive neurons are present in distinct, individual populations in both of these brain regions. We are further continuing with this work to assess their projections from the higher auditory cortex throughout the brain.In addition to this, and to provide a more detailed picture of subtle neuronal behaviours I am now continuing with more detailed experiments to further assess the role of the zebra finch higher auditory cortex in song learning using electrophysiology recording of individual neurons. To date I have optimised this setup and generated initial data which, in addition to the previously described anatomical data, was well received at an international meeting in November 2022.