The proposed research aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the motor mechanisms involved in the generation of complex sounds. Particular emphasis is placed on the most widely used animal model system for learned vocal behavior, the zebra finch, whose song is characterized by a broad range of acoustic features from tonal sounds to complex spectral content. A combination and interaction of theoretical and experimental approaches is used to unravel the peripheral mechanisms of generation of this range of sound characteristics. The interactive approach involves recording of physiological data (electromyograms and air sac pressure) to drive the models and syringeal muscle stimulation experiments to test predictions of the modeling work. Based on these refinements of the computational approach, a prototype of an electronic syrinx, implementing the differential equations of the models, will be modified to reproduce zebra finch song. This electronic syrinx will be controlled by the neural instructions for song production (muscle activation patterns and respiratory pressure), which can be monitored in the singing bird and used for on-line generation of sound. This subject-controlled vocal prosthesis is then used to generate acoustic output in muted birds, with the potential for experimentally manipulating song characteristics, to test which acoustic features are required as information from auditory feedback for maintenance of song.

Public Health Relevance

This research will contribute to our knowledge of the interplay between neural control, peripheral systems and acoustic behavior, which will enhance our understanding of speech production in humans. The """"""""electronic syrinx"""""""" will provide an excellent test device for developing a similar system for the human larynx.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC006876-07
Application #
8209185
Study Section
Motor Function, Speech and Rehabilitation Study Section (MFSR)
Program Officer
Shekim, Lana O
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2014-12-31
Budget Start
2012-01-01
Budget End
2012-12-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$278,415
Indirect Cost
$72,715
Name
University of Utah
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
009095365
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112
Bush, Alan; Döppler, Juan F; Goller, Franz et al. (2018) Syringeal EMGs and synthetic stimuli reveal a switch-like activation of the songbird's vocal motor program. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:8436-8441
Garcia, Sarah M; Kopuchian, Cecilia; Mindlin, Gabriel B et al. (2017) Evolution of Vocal Diversity through Morphological Adaptation without Vocal Learning or Complex Neural Control. Curr Biol 27:2677-2683.e3
Amador, Ana; Boari, Santiago; Mindlin, Gabriel B (2017) From perception to action in songbird production: dynamics of a whole loop. Curr Opin Syst Biol 3:30-35
Alonso, Rodrigo Gogui; Amador, Ana; Mindlin, Gabriel B (2016) An integrated model for motor control of song in Serinus canaria. J Physiol Paris 110:127-139
Alonso, R Gogui; Kopuchian, Cecilia; Amador, Ana et al. (2016) Difference between the vocalizations of two sister species of pigeons explained in dynamical terms. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 202:361-70
Schmidt, Marc F; Goller, Franz (2016) Breathtaking Songs: Coordinating the Neural Circuits for Breathing and Singing. Physiology (Bethesda) 31:442-451
Riede, Tobias; Goller, Franz (2014) Morphological basis for the evolution of acoustic diversity in oscine songbirds. Proc Biol Sci 281:20132306
Riede, Tobias (2014) Rat ultrasonic vocalization shows features of a modular behavior. J Neurosci 34:6874-8
Crespo, José G; Vickers, Neil J; Goller, Franz (2014) Male moths optimally balance take-off thoracic temperature and warm-up duration to reach a pheromone source quickly. Anim Behav 98:79-85
Alonso, Rodrigo; Goller, Franz; Mindlin, Gabriel B (2014) Motor control of sound frequency in birdsong involves the interaction between air sac pressure and labial tension. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 89:032706

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