title: A neural network model for generating complex birdsong syntax.
abstract: The singing behavior of songbirds has been investigated as a model of sequence learning and production. The song of the Bengalese finch, Lonchura striata var. domestica, is well described by a finite state automaton including a stochastic transition of the note sequence, which can be regarded as a higher-order Markov process. Focusing on the neural structure of songbirds, we propose a neural network model that generates higher-order Markov processes. The neurons in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) encode each note; they are activated by RA-projecting neurons in the HVC (used as a proper name). We hypothesize that the same note included in different chunks is encoded by distinct RA-projecting neuron groups. From this assumption, the output sequence of RA is a higher-order Markov process, even though the RA-projecting neurons in the HVC fire on first-order Markov processes. We developed a neural network model of the local circuits in the HVC that explains the mechanism by which RA-projecting neurons transit stochastically on first-order Markov processes. Numerical simulation showed that this model can generate first-order Markov process song sequences.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan. katahira@mns.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katahira
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okanoya
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008390:Markov Chains; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000166:cytology; D020308:Songbirds / Q000502:physiology*; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*