Research article summary (published 25 Oct 2007):

A neural network model for generating complex birdsong syntax.

Full 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.

Author information

Author/s: Katahira, Kentaro (K); Okanoya, Kazuo (K); Okada, Masato (M);

Affiliation: Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan. katahira(-atsign-)mns.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Journal and publication information

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

Journal: Biological cybernetics (Biol Cybern), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Dec; vol 97 (issue 5-6) : pp 441-8

Dates: Created 2008/03/13; Completed 2008/05/30;

PMID: 17965875, 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.

Animals Behavior, Animal Learning - physiology Markov Chains Nerve Net - physiology Neural Networks (Computer)

Neural Networks (Computer) Neural Pathways - physiology Neurons - physiology Prosencephalon - cytology Songbirds - physiology Vocalization, Animal - physiology

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