| Title | Modulation of perineuronal nets and parvalbumin with developmental song learning. | | Author(s) | Balmer TS, Carels VM, Frisch JL, Nick TA | | Institution | Department of Neuroscience and Center for Neurobehavioral Development, University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. | | Source | J Neurosci 2009 Oct 14; 29(41):12878-85. | | MeSH | Age Factors
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Cell Count
Critical Period (Psychology)
Entropy
Female
Finches
High Vocal Center
Learning
Male
Nerve Net
Neuronal Plasticity
Neurons
Parvalbumins
Social Isolation
Vocalization, Animal
| | Abstract | Neural circuits and behavior are shaped during developmental phases of maximal plasticity known as sensitive or critical periods. Neural correlates of sensory critical periods have been identified, but their roles remain unclear. Factors that define critical periods in sensorimotor circuits and behavior are not known. Birdsong learning in the zebra finch occurs during a sensitive period similar to that for human speech. We now show that perineuronal nets, which correlate with sensory critical periods, surround parvalbumin-positive neurons in brain areas that are dedicated to singing. The percentage of both total and parvalbumin-positive neurons with perineuronal nets increased with development. In HVC (this acronym is the proper name), a song area important for sensorimotor integration, the percentage of parvalbumin neurons with perineuronal nets correlated with song maturity. Shifting the vocal critical period with tutor song deprivation decreased the percentage of neurons that were parvalbumin positive and the relative staining intensity of both parvalbumin and a component of perineuronal nets. Developmental song learning shares key characteristics with sensory critical periods, suggesting shared underlying mechanisms. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | In Vitro
Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
| | PubMed ID | 19828802 |
|
