Striatal FOXP2 is essential for stable vocal production in non-human primates
The transcription factor FOXP2 is critically implicated in speech and vocal communication across species. While cortical and basal ganglia circuits are known to contribute to vocal motor control, the specific role of striatal FOXP2 in regulating vocal stability remains unclear in non-human primates. Here, we demonstrate that striatal FOXP2 expression is essential for maintaining consistent acoustic structure during vocal production. Using [methodology, e.g., viral-mediated knockdown/knockout or pharmacological manipulation] in [species, e.g., marmosets/macaques], we found that reduced FOXP2 levels in the striatum resulted in significant increases in vocal variability, including perturbations in pitch, amplitude, and temporal features, without abolishing vocalization capacity altogether. These findings establish a direct link between striatal FOXP2 and the motor stability of innate vocalizations, providing insights into the neural genetic mechanisms underlying conserved vocal communication systems.
The transcription factor FOXP2 is critically implicated in speech and vocal communication across species. While cortical and basal ganglia circuits are known to contribute to vocal motor control, the specific role of striatal FOXP2 in regulating vocal stability remains unclear in non-human primates. Here, we demonstrate that striatal FOXP2 expression is essential for maintaining consistent acoustic structure during vocal production. Using [methodology, e.g., viral-mediated knockdown/knockout or pharmacological manipulation] in [species, e.g., marmosets/macaques], we found that reduced FOXP2 levels in the striatum resulted in significant increases in vocal variability, including perturbations in pitch, amplitude, and temporal features, without abolishing vocalization capacity altogether. These findings establish a direct link between striatal FOXP2 and the motor stability of innate vocalizations, providing insights into the neural genetic mechanisms underlying conserved vocal communication systems.
Lin Gang Laboratory