Functional connections between the HVC and the shelf of the zebra finch revealed by real-time optical imaging technique.
Auditory-motor interaction is essential for the understanding of avian song learning and maintenance. The HVC is thought to be the most important station for auditory-motor integration in the avian song system. However, little is known about where and how auditory inputs are conveyed into the HVC. The shelf, a multi-auditory recipient region located along the ventral border of the HVC, is thought to be a possible source of auditory inputs to the HVC. Here, we investigated the functional neural connections between the HVC and surrounding area of the HVC including the shelf in zebra finch brain slices, using the real-time optical recording technique. Unexpectedly electrical stimulation of the shelf region did not induce signal propagation into the HVC, but stimulation within the HVC propagated strong signals into the shelf. These results suggest that the shelf is the region that receives output signals from the HVC, rather than a major source of auditory inputs to the HVC.
Wang
J
J
Department of Physiology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Sokabe
M
M
Sakaguchi
H
H
D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D018750:6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione / Q000494:pharmacology; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003199:Computer Systems; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D020308:Songbirds / Q000502:physiology*; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018750:6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate