Intrinsic neuronal properties represent song and error in zebra finch vocal learning

Abstract

Neurons regulate their intrinsic physiological properties, which could influence network properties and contribute to behavioral plasticity. Recording from adult zebra finch brain slices we show that within each bird basal ganglia Area X–projecting (HVCX) neurons share similar spike waveform morphology and timing of spike trains, with modeling indicating similar magnitudes of five principal ion currents. These properties vary among birds in lawful relation to acoustic similarity of the birds’ songs, with adult sibling pairs (same songs) sharing similar waveforms and spiking characteristics. The properties are maintained dynamically: HVCX within juveniles learning to sing show variable properties, whereas the uniformity rapidly degrades within hours in adults singing while exposed to abnormal (delayed) auditory feedback. Thus, within individual birds the population of current magnitudes covary over the arc of development, while rapidly responding to changes in feedback (in adults). This identifies network interactions with intrinsic properties that affect information storage and processing of learned vocalizations.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Feb 19, 2020
Source ID
10.1038/s41467-020-14738-7

Entities

People

  • Arij Daou
  • Daniel Margoliash

Organizations

  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
  • Office of Naval Research

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience
  • Speech Processing/Speech Recognition.