A bird's eye view of neural circuit formation

Date Published:

Abstract:

Neural circuits underlying complex learned behaviors, such as speech in humans, develop under genetic constraints and in response to environmental influences. Little is known about the rules and mechanisms through which such circuits form. We argue that songbirds, with their discrete and well studied neural pathways underlying a complex and naturally learned behavior, provide a powerful model for addressing these questions. We briefly review current knowledge of how the song circuit develops during learning and discuss new possibilities for advancing the field given recent technological advances.

Feb 2011 (pdf).

Notes:

Olveczky, Bence PGardner, Timothy JengR01 NS066408/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/R01 NS066408-01A1/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/R01 NS066408-02/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/R01 NS66408/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewEngland2010/10/15 06:00Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2011 Feb;21(1):124-31. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2010.08.001. Epub 2010 Oct 11.