Population-Level Representation of a Temporal Sequence Underlying Song Production in the Zebra Finch.

ABSTRACT: The zebra finch brain features a set of clearly defined and hierarchically arranged motor nuclei that are selectively responsible for producing singing behavior. One of these regions, a critical forebrain structure called HVC, contains premotor neurons that are active at precise time points during song production. However, the neural representation of this behavior at a population level remains elusive. We used two-photon microscopy to monitor ensemble activity during singing, integrating across multiple trials by adopting a Bayesian inference approach to more precisely estimate burst timing. Additionally, we examined spiking and motor-related synaptic inputs using intracellular recordings during singing. With both experimental approaches, we find that premotor events do not occur preferen

SUBMITTER: Picardo MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4941616 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature