Research article summary (published 30 Oct 2006):

Coordination of presynaptic and postsynaptic maturation in a zebra finch forebrain motor control nucleus during song learning.

Full Abstract

While some species of birds retain the ability to learn new songs as adults, many species can only learn during a restricted period when young. Previous studies have suggested that one potential mechanism of such a limited learning period, an alteration in the composition of postsynaptic NMDA receptors, does not competely block further song learning. Here, we examined whether presynaptic function could play a role in the regulation of learning capacity. We first showed that the participation of NMDA receptor NR2B subunits in synaptic currents in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA), a critical location for integration of signals during song learning by young birds, decreases from young birds to adults. Using release-dependent block of postsynaptic NMDA receptors by an open-channel antagonist to assay presynaptic function, we showed that transmitter release at RA synapses from both HVC and the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium systematically decreases during the period of song learning, and in adults is about half that of juveniles. Further, activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors could induce an acute depression of transmitter release, while lack of exposure to a normal learning environment could delay the developmental reduction in transmitter release. These results suggest that regulation of learning capacity may occur in part by coordination of presynaptic and postsynaptic function.

Author information

Author/s: Wang, Jian (J); Hessler, Neal A (NA);

Affiliation: Laboratory for Vocal Behaviour Mechanisms, Brain Science Institute, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; In Vitro; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The European journal of neuroscience (Eur J Neurosci), published in France. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Nov; vol 24 (issue 10) : pp 2859-69

Dates: Created 2006/12/12; Completed 2007/01/30;

PMID: 17156210, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Age Factors Animals Behavior, Animal Dizocilpine Maleate - pharmacology Drug Interactions Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists - pharmacology Finches Learning - physiology Male

Membrane Potentials - drug effects; physiology; radiation effects Neuronal Plasticity - drug effects; physiology; radiation effects Neurons - cytology; drug effects; physiology Patch-Clamp Techniques - methods Piperidines - pharmacology Prosencephalon - cytology; physiology Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - physiology Synapses - drug effects; physiology; radiation effects Vocalization, Animal - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists (0) ; NR2B NMDA receptor (0) ; Piperidines (0) ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (0) ; ifenprodil (23210-56-2) ; Dizocilpine Maleate (77086-22-7)

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