Cellular and Synaptic Rules Enabling Vocal Communication

项目概述：NIDCD的一个主要目标是研究“正常和不正常的感觉运动加工”。 沟通不畅”。然而，介导声音交流的具体机制却很少 明白在这个建议中，我直接使用鸣禽（斑胸草雀）作为模型系统来解决这些问题。 该建议的重点是高发声中心（或HVC），这是一个前脑结构分析运动皮层 在人类身上。许多方法将被应用于HVC的研究，目的是阐明细胞和 控制该核功能的突触规则，以便更好地了解其功能， 最终揭示了人类交流的障碍。 第一个具体的目标将解决HVG在提供歌曲系统与定时的重要性 信息.在初步研究中，我使用了热电装置来改变HVC的温度， 唱歌的斑胸草雀，这导致了歌曲持续时间的修改。冷却HVC导致较慢的歌唱; 加热HVC加速歌曲。1将这些研究扩展到RA（HVC的下游靶点），以便 直接测试HVC是否充当歌曲系统内的自主时钟。 第二个具体的目标将解决细胞机制，有助于模式生成内 HVG这些实验将阐明终止HVC的细胞和/或突触机制 爆发，导致该核内稀疏的特征选择性神经元活动。 第三个具体目标将解决电路机制，有助于在HVC模式生成。 关于支配HVC突触连接的规则几乎一无所知。1将从成对的HVC中记录 细胞来研究支配HVC突触的静态和动态特性。这些实验将允许 更好地理解HVC的功能原理和地形组织。

Project Summary: A principle aim of the NIDCD is the study of the "sensorimotor processing in normal and disordered communication". However, the specific mechanisms which mediate vocal communication are poorly understood. In this proposal, I directly address these issues using the songbird (zebra finch) as a model system. The proposal focuses on the high vocal center (or HVC), which is a forebrain structure analygous to motor cortex in humans. A number of methods will be applied to the study of HVC, with the goal of elucidating cellular and synaptic rules that govern the function Of that nucleus in order to better understand its function and to ultimately shed light into disorders in human communication. The first specific aim will address the importance of HVG in providing the song system with timing information. In preliminary studies, I have used a thermoelectric device to alter the temperature of HVC in the singing zebra finch, which results in a modification of song duration. Cooling HVC leads to slower singing; heating HVC speeds the song. 1 will extend these studies Into RA (the downstream target of HVC) in order to directly test whether HVC acts as an autonomous clock within the song system. The second specific aim will address the cellular mechanisms that contribute to pattern generation within HVG. The proposed experiments will elucidate the cellular and/or synaptic mechanisms that terminate HVC bursts, leading to sparse, feature-selective neuronal activity within that nucleus. The third specific aim will address the circuit mechanisms that contribute to pattern generation within HVC. Almostnothing is known about the rules that govern HVC synaptic connections. 1 will record from pairs of HVC cells to study the static and dynamic properties governing HVC synapses. These experiments will allow for a better understanding of the functional principles and topographic organization of HVC.