Neural and Endocrine Regulation of Vocal Communication

9421319安德鲁·H·巴斯的语言和非语言交流技能在整个动物界被广泛用于配偶选择和繁殖、食物收集和社会结构的形成。然而，参与交流的大脑机制往往很复杂，很难研究。巴斯博士是一位备受尊敬的行为神经内分泌学家，在他之前的研究中，他在一种简单的脊椎动物物种中发现了一种独特的语音交流神经系统，并对其进行了表征。这个系统的独特之处在于，只有一块肌肉负责发出声音。在目前的研究中，巴斯博士将使用一种极具创造性和综合性的方法来研究参与产生有节奏的发声行为的大脑机制，以及雄激素在该回路和行为的性别差异中所起的作用。之前的研究确定了一个负责发声行为的大脑指挥中心，并将使用电子录音来确定该系统的解剖连接。其他研究将调查雄激素在这个指挥中心内发挥作用的能力，以促进这些动物发声行为的发展。这些研究有可能确定荷尔蒙在导致行为变化的神经通路上的作用，这可能适用于包括人类在内的其他物种。

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.