Developmental modulation and predictability of age-dependent vocal plasticity in adult zebra finches.

Developmental modulation and predictability of age-dependent vocal plasticity in adult zebra finches.
Brain Res. 2019 Jul 13;:146336
Authors: James LS, Sakata JT
Abstract
Predicting the nature of behavioral plasticity can provide insight into mechanisms of behavioral expression and control. Songbirds like the zebra finch rely on vocal signals for communication, and the performance of these signals demonstrate considerable plasticity over development. Traditionally, these signals were thought to be fixed in adulthood, but recent studies have revealed significant age-dependent changes to spectral and temporal features of song in adult songbirds. A number of age-dependent changes to song resemble acute changes to adult song performance across social contexts (e.g., when an adult male sings to a female relative to when he sings in isolation). The ability of variation in social context-dependent changes to predict variation in age-dependent plasticity would suggest shared mechanisms, but little is known about this predictability. In addition, although developmental experiences can shape adult plasticity, little is known about the extent to which social interactions during development affect age-dependent change to adult song. To this end, we systematically analyzed age- and context-dependent changes to adult zebra finch song, and then examined the degree to which age-dependent changes varied across birds that were social or non-socially t...

Source: Brain Research - July 12, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: James LS, Sakata JT Tags: Brain Res Source Type: research