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Contributions of an avian basal ganglia–forebrain circuit to real-time modulation of song

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  • Mimi H. Kao

    (University of California)

  • Allison J. Doupe

    (University of California)

  • Michael S. Brainard

    (University of California)

Abstract

Cortical–basal ganglia circuits have a critical role in motor control and motor learning1. In songbirds, the anterior forebrain pathway (AFP) is a basal ganglia–forebrain circuit required for song learning and adult vocal plasticity but not for production of learned song2,3,4,5. Here, we investigate functional contributions of this circuit to the control of song, a complex, learned motor skill. We test the hypothesis that neural activity in the AFP of adult birds can direct moment-by-moment changes in the primary motor areas responsible for generating song. We show that song-triggered microstimulation in the output nucleus of the AFP induces acute and specific changes in learned parameters of song6,7. Moreover, under both natural and experimental conditions, variability in the pattern of AFP activity is associated with variability in song structure. Finally, lesions of the output nucleus of the AFP prevent naturally occurring modulation of song variability. These findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated capacity of the AFP to direct real-time changes in song. More generally, they suggest that frontal cortical and basal ganglia areas may contribute to motor learning by biasing motor output towards desired targets or by introducing stochastic variability required for reinforcement learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Mimi H. Kao & Allison J. Doupe & Michael S. Brainard, 2005. "Contributions of an avian basal ganglia–forebrain circuit to real-time modulation of song," Nature, Nature, vol. 433(7026), pages 638-643, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:433:y:2005:i:7026:d:10.1038_nature03127
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03127
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    Cited by:

    1. Timothy Verstynen & Jeff Phillips & Emily Braun & Brett Workman & Christian Schunn & Walter Schneider, 2012. "Dynamic Sensorimotor Planning during Long-Term Sequence Learning: The Role of Variability, Response Chunking and Planning Errors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(10), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Christopher M Glaze & Todd W Troyer, 2012. "A Generative Model for Measuring Latent Timing Structure in Motor Sequences," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(7), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Julie E Miller & Austin T Hilliard & Stephanie A White, 2010. "Song Practice Promotes Acute Vocal Variability at a Key Stage of Sensorimotor Learning," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(1), pages 1-15, January.

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