Late-postnatal cannabinoid exposure persistently increases FoxP2 expression within zebra finch striatum.

ABSTRACT: Prior work has shown that cannabinoid exposure of zebra finches during sensorimotor stages of vocal development alters song patterns produced in adulthood. We are currently working to identify physiological substrates for this altered song learning. FoxP2 is a transcription factor associated with altered vocal development in both zebra finches and humans. This protein shows a distinct pattern of expression within Area X of striatum that coincides with peak expression of CB(1) cannabinoid receptors during sensorimotor learning. Coincident expression in a brain region essential for song learning led us to test for a potential signaling interaction. We have found that cannabinoid agonists acutely increase expression of FoxP2 throughout striatum. When administered during sensorimotor song lear

SUBMITTER: Soderstrom K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2907664 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature