Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior

Estrogen and sex-dependent loss of the vocal learning system in female zebra finches

This study examines the effects of estrogen on vocal learning in zebra finches, finding that estrogen suppression in males impairs song learning but not nucleus size or most transcriptome features, while estrogen treatment in females preserves song system function.

Circuit and synaptic organization of forebrain-to-midbrain pathways that promote and suppress vocalization

The paper identifies two forebrain inhibitory neuron populations that trigger or suppress vocalization by modulating PAG-USV neurons through distinct synaptic mechanisms.

Mechanisms for Communicating in a Marmoset "Cocktail Party"

This study investigates how marmosets solve the Cocktail Party Problem by analyzing their vocal behavior in response to acoustic scene manipulations.

Fast retrograde access to projection neuron circuits underlying vocal learning in songbirds

The paper introduces a viral tool for fast retrograde labeling of projection neurons in songbirds and mice, enabling detailed analysis of vocal learning circuits.

Singing-related reorganization of the song motor circuit is accompanied by a shift in hormonal modulation of song

This study shows that DHT can re-acquire high-quality songs in experienced canaries but not naive females, indicating hormonal modulation of song circuits changes with vocal practice.

Multi-dimensional tuning in motor cortical neurons during active behavior

This study examines motor cortical activity in zebra finches during various behaviors, finding that neurons respond to diverse movements and sensorimotor inputs beyond direct motor commands.

Classification of mouse ultrasonic vocalizations using deep learning

This paper uses deep learning to classify mouse ultrasonic vocalizations by sex, achieving 84% accuracy compared to 64% and 52% with other methods.

Hidden neural states underlie canary song syntax

The paper identifies neurons in canary HVC that encode past song transitions over multiple phrases and seconds, revealing neural mechanisms for syntactic song structure.

Increasing muscle speed drives changes in the neuromuscular transform of motor commands during postnatal development in songbirds

The paper shows that syringeal muscle speed increases during song learning in male zebra finches, altering how neural commands translate into acoustic features.

Optimal spectral templates for triggered feedback experiments

The paper introduces a gradient descent method to optimize spectral templates for triggered feedback experiments in songbirds, significantly improving targeting accuracy.

Compensatory mechanisms affect sensorimotor integration during ongoing vocal-motor acts in marmoset monkeys

This study shows marmoset monkeys adjust call frequency and amplitude in response to noise during vocalizations but do not exhibit the Lombard effect, suggesting a cognitive strategy to avoid noisy environments.

Blocking neuroestrogen synthesis modifies neural representations of learned song without altering vocal imitation accuracy in developing songbird

The paper investigates the role of neuroestrogen synthesis in auditory memory consolidation during songbird vocal learning, finding that blocking it does not impair vocal imitation but alters neural representations.

Courtship behaviour reveals temporal regularity is a critical social cue in mouse communication

The paper shows female mice prefer male courtship songs with regular timing over irregular ones, highlighting temporal regularity as a critical social cue in mammalian communication.

Experience- and sex-dependent intrinsic plasticity in the zebra finch auditory cortex during song memorization

The paper shows that intrinsic plasticity in zebra finch auditory cortex changes during song memorization, with sex and environmental factors influencing these changes.

Neighborhood-statistics reveal complex dynamics of song acquisition in the zebra finch

The paper introduces a nearest-neighbor method to analyze song development in zebra finches, revealing complex temporal dynamics in vocal learning and development.

Inhibitory cell populations depend on age, sex, and prior experience across a neural network for Critical Period learning

The paper examines how inhibitory cell populations in zebra finches vary with age, sex, and prior tutor experience during a critical period for song learning.

High order structure in mouse courtship vocalizations

The paper analyzes mouse courtship vocalizations to uncover temporal structure in their sequences and introduces a new algorithm to improve classification based on sequence statistics.

Transitioning between preparatory and precisely sequenced neuronal activity in production of a skilled behavior

The paper identifies neuronal populations in songbirds that transition from preparatory activity to precise sequences during singing, revealing mechanisms for behavioral state transitions.

Functional connectivity strength within the auditory forebrain is altered by song learning and predicts song stereotypy in developing male zebra finches

The paper examines how song learning in zebra finches affects functional connectivity in the auditory forebrain and its link to song stereotypy.

Dopamine depletion affects vocal acoustics and disrupts sensorimotor adaptation in songbirds

This study investigates how dopamine depletion affects vocal learning in songbirds by altering pitch and sensorimotor adaptation in response to auditory feedback.

Optimal features for auditory categorization

The paper identifies mid-level acoustic features that enable accurate classification of vocalizations across species using an information-theoretic approach.

Sensory feedback independent pre-song vocalizations correlate with current state of motor preparation

The study shows that introductory notes in zebra finches do not rely on sensory feedback for motor preparation, suggesting they reflect internal neural states.

22kHz and 55kHz ultrasonic vocalizations differentially influence neural and behavioral outcomes: Implications for modeling anxiety via auditory stimuli in the rat

This study examines how 22kHz and 55kHz ultrasonic vocalizations affect neural and behavioral outcomes in rats, showing distinct cFos activation patterns in anxiety-related brain regions.

Predict future learning accuracy by the structural properties of the brain, an in vivo longitudinal MRI study in songbirds

This study identifies brain regions whose structural properties predict song learning accuracy in zebra finches before vocal practice begins.

Synthetic stimuli reveal a predictive and switch-like activation of the songbird’s vocal motor program

The paper shows that synthetic song stimuli evoke switch-like activation of the vocal motor program in sleeping zebra finches, revealing predictive and all-or-nothing motor responses.

Songbird ventral basal ganglia sends performance error signals to dopaminergic midbrain

The paper identifies a ventral basal ganglia region in songbirds that computes prediction error signals and sends them to the VTA, revealing an actor-critic circuit motif in song learning.

A subcortical circuit linking the cerebellum to the basal ganglia engaged in vocal learning

This study identifies a subcortical circuit linking the cerebellum to the basal ganglia in zebra finches that is critical for vocal learning.

Antioxidant Gene Expression in Vocal Hindbrain of a Teleost Fish

The paper investigates antioxidant gene expression in the vocal hindbrain of midshipman fish, finding no significant differences in sod1 and sod2 transcripts between humming and non-humming males or male morphs.

Identification of midbrain neurons essential for vocal communication

The paper identifies a specific subset of midbrain PAG neurons in male mice essential for producing ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and shows their role in vocal communication.

The segregation of vocal circuits solves a credit assignment problem associated with multi-objective reinforcement learning

The paper shows that spatially segregated motor circuits in vocal learners solve a credit assignment problem in multi-objective reinforcement learning by allowing target-specific reinforcement signals.