Sound processing in the auditory-cortex homologue of songbirds: functional organization and developmental issues.
Recent literature on the Field L of songbirds, showing that some neurons present a clear selectivity towards complex sounds, especially conspecific songs, is reviewed. Furthermore, studies on European starlings have revealed a complex functional organization in this central auditory area, with subareas exhibiting different response features. Interestingly, both the functional organization and the neuronal specialization can be drastically affected by early deprivation, clearly showing the existence of a developmental plasticity. Some recovery seems to remain possible at later stages, and social factors may be involved.
George
I
I
UMR CNRS 6552, Université Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, France.
Cousillas
H
H
Vernier
B
B
Richard
J P
JP
Henry
L
L
Mathelier
M
M
Lengagne
T
T
Hausberger
M
M
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior; D020308:Songbirds / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014828:Vocalization, Animal