Transitioning between preparatory and precisely sequenced neuronal activity in production of a skilled behavior

eLife

Brenton G Cooper¹  Samuel J Sober²  Ryosuke O Tachibana³  Vamsi K Daliparthi⁴  Richard HR Hahnloser⁵  Todd F Roberts⁶  Satoshi Kojima⁷ 

[1] Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland;Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland;Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan;Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States;Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, United States;Department of Structure and Function of Neural Network, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea;Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland;

关键词: songbird;    HVC;    motor planning;    neuronal sequences;    motor control;    vocalization;   

DOI  :  10.7554/eLife.43732

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Precise neural sequences are associated with the production of well-learned skilled behaviors. Yet, how neural sequences arise in the brain remains unclear. In songbirds, premotor projection neurons in the cortical song nucleus HVC are necessary for producing learned song and exhibit precise sequential activity during singing. Using cell-type specific calcium imaging we identify populations of HVC premotor neurons associated with the beginning and ending of singing-related neural sequences. We characterize neurons that bookend singing-related sequences and neuronal populations that transition from sparse preparatory activity prior to song to precise neural sequences during singing. Recordings from downstream premotor neurons or the respiratory system suggest that pre-song activity may be involved in motor preparation to sing. These findings reveal population mechanisms associated with moving from non-vocal to vocal behavioral states and suggest that precise neural sequences begin and end as part of orchestrated activity across functionally diverse populations of cortical premotor neurons.

【 授权许可】

Unknown