The role of basal ganglia dopamine in vocal learning

描述（由申请人提供）：运动技能学习和其他目标导向的行为涉及定义目标和实践。在练习过程中，神经回路评估感觉反馈并指导运动控制回路的适应性变化。这种行为的一个重要例子是少数物种，包括人类，学习对交流至关重要的发声。鸣禽的发声学习的神经机制是最好的理解，其中发声学习需要基底神经节的一个离散区域，X区。神经递质多巴胺在基底神经节功能和可塑性中起着至关重要的作用，但多巴胺的释放尚未在行为鸣禽中测量，多巴胺在发声学习中的功能尚不清楚。这个项目的目标是确定X区突触可塑性所需的多巴胺信号的时间特征，然后询问行为鸣禽，如果这样的多巴胺信号发生在记忆一首歌模仿或在语音反馈依赖可塑性的发声控制电路。由于歌曲学习涉及一个明确的神经回路致力于一个单一的行为，这些研究可能提供独特的见解多巴胺和基底神经节有助于所有脊椎动物的运动学习的机制。了解基底神经节多巴胺的功能对人类健康的重要性通过帕金森氏病中多巴胺损失的破坏性影响和滥用药物的药理学误激活来强调。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Motor skill learning and other goal-directed behavior involves defining a goal and practice. During practice, neural circuits evaluate sensory feedback and guide adaptive changes in motor control circuitry. An important example of such behavior is displayed by the small number of species, including humans that learn vocalizations crucial to communication. Neural mechanism of vocal learning are best understood in songbirds, where vocal learning requires a discrete region of the basal ganglia, Area X. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a crucial role in basal ganglia function and plasticity, but dopamine release has not been measured in behaving songbirds and the function of dopamine in vocal learning in unknown. The goals of this project are to determine the temporal features of dopamine signals required for synaptic plasticity in Area X and then to ask in behaving songbirds if such dopamine signals occur during memorization of a song to mimic or during auditory-feedback dependent plasticity of vocal control circuits. Since song learning involves a well-defined neural circuit devoted to a single behavior, these studies may offer unique insights into the mechanisms by which dopamine and the basal ganglia contribute to motor learning in all vertebrates. The importance to human health of understanding the function of basal ganglia dopamine is underscored by the devastating effects of dopamine loss in Parkinson's Disease and pharmacological mis-activation by drugs of abuse.