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Parishar P, Rajagopalan M, Iyengar S. Changes in the dopaminergic circuitry and adult neurogenesis linked to reinforcement learning in corvids. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1359874. [PMID: 38808028 PMCID: PMC11130420 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1359874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The caudolateral nidopallium (NCL, an analog of the prefrontal cortex) is known to be involved in learning, memory, and discrimination in corvids (a songbird), whereas the involvement of other brain regions in these phenomena is not well explored. We used house crows (Corvus splendens) to explore the neural correlates of learning and decision-making by initially training them on a shape discrimination task followed by immunohistochemistry to study the immediate early gene expression (Arc), a dopaminoceptive neuronal marker (DARPP-32, Dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32 kDa) to understand the involvement of the reward pathway and an immature neuronal marker (DCX, doublecortin) to detect learning-induced changes in adult neurogenesis. We performed neuronal counts and neuronal tracing, followed by morphometric analyses. Our present results have demonstrated that besides NCL, other parts of the caudal nidopallium (NC), avian basal ganglia, and intriguingly, vocal control regions in house crows are involved in visual discrimination. We have also found that training on the visual discrimination task can be correlated with neurite pruning in mature dopaminoceptive neurons and immature DCX-positive neurons in the NC of house crows. Furthermore, there is an increase in the incorporation of new neurons throughout NC and the medial striatum which can also be linked to learning. For the first time, our results demonstrate that a combination of structural changes in mature and immature neurons and adult neurogenesis are linked to learning in corvids.
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Kersten Y, Moll FW, Erdle S, Nieder A. Input and Output Connections of the Crow Nidopallium Caudolaterale. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0098-24.2024. [PMID: 38684368 PMCID: PMC11064124 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0098-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The avian telencephalic structure nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) functions as an analog to the mammalian prefrontal cortex. In crows, corvid songbirds, it plays a crucial role in higher cognitive and executive functions. These functions rely on the NCL's extensive telencephalic connections. However, systematic investigations into the brain-wide connectivity of the NCL in crows or other songbirds are lacking. Here, we studied its input and output connections by injecting retrograde and anterograde tracers into the carrion crow NCL. Our results, mapped onto a published carrion crow brain atlas, confirm NCL multisensory connections and extend prior pigeon findings by identifying a novel input from the hippocampal formation. Furthermore, we analyze crow NCL efferent projections to the arcopallium and report newly identified arcopallial neurons projecting bilaterally to the NCL. These findings help to clarify the role of the NCL as central executive hub in the corvid songbird brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylva Kersten
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Felix W Moll
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Saskia Erdle
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Andreas Nieder
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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Arasaratnam CJ, Song JJ, Yoshida T, Curtis MA, Graybiel AM, Faull RLM, Waldvogel HJ. DARPP-32 cells and neuropil define striosomal system and isolated matrix cells in human striatum. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:888-920. [PMID: 37002560 PMCID: PMC10392785 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
The dorsal striatum forms a central node of the basal ganglia interconnecting the neocortex and thalamus with circuits modulating mood and movement. Striatal projection neurons (SPNs) include relatively intermixed populations expressing D1-type or D2-type dopamine receptors (dSPNs and iSPNs) that give rise to the direct (D1) and indirect (D2) output systems of the basal ganglia. Overlaid on this organization is a compartmental organization, in which a labyrinthine system of striosomes made up of sequestered SPNs is embedded within the larger striatal matrix. Striosomal SPNs also include D1-SPNs and D2-SPNs, but they can be distinguished from matrix SPNs by many neurochemical markers. In the rodent striatum the key signaling molecule, DARPP-32, is a exception to these compartmental expression patterns, thought to befit its functions through opposite actions in both D1- and D2-expressing SPNs. We demonstrate here, however, that in the dorsal human striatum, DARPP-32 is concentrated in the neuropil and SPNs of striosomes, especially in the caudate nucleus and dorsomedial putamen, relative to the matrix neuropil in these regions. The generally DARPP-32-poor matrix contains scattered DARPP-32-positive cells. DARPP-32 cell bodies in both compartments proved negative for conventional intraneuronal markers. These findings raise the potential for specialized DARPP-32 expression in the human striosomal system and in a set of DARPP-32-positive neurons in the matrix. If DARPP-32 immunohistochemical positivity predicts differential functional DARPP-32 activity, then the distributions demonstrated here could render striosomes and dispersed matrix cells susceptible to differential signaling through cAMP and other signaling systems in health and disease. DARPP-32 is highly concentrated in cells and neuropil of striosomes in post-mortem human brain tissue, particularly in the dorsal caudate nucleus. Scattered DARPP-32-positive cells are found in the human striatal matrix. Calbindin and DARPP-32 do not colocalize within every spiny projection neuron in the dorsal human caudate nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine J Arasaratnam
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jennifer J Song
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tomoko Yoshida
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ann M Graybiel
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry J Waldvogel
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Brecht KF, Westendorff S, Nieder A. Neural correlates of cognitively controlled vocalizations in a corvid songbird. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112113. [PMID: 36821443 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuronal basis of the songbird's song system is well understood. However, little is known about the neuronal correlates of the executive control of songbird vocalizations. Here, we record single-unit activity from the pallial endbrain region "nidopallium caudolaterale" (NCL) of crows that vocalize to the presentation of a visual go-cue but refrain from vocalizing during trials without a go-cue. We find that the preparatory activity of single vocalization-correlated neurons, but also of the entire population of NCL neurons, before vocal onset predicts whether or not the crows will produce an instructed vocalization. Fluctuations in baseline neuronal activity prior to the go-cue influence the premotor activity of such vocalization-correlated neurons and seemingly bias the crows' decision to vocalize. Neuronal response modulation significantly differs between volitional and task-unrelated vocalizations. This suggests that the NCL can take control over the vocal motor network during the production of volitional vocalizations in a corvid songbird.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina F Brecht
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Westendorff
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Nieder
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Kersten Y, Friedrich-Müller B, Nieder A. A brain atlas of the carrion crow (Corvus corone). J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:3011-3038. [PMID: 35938778 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Corvidae, passerine songbirds such as jays, crows, and ravens known as corvids, have become model systems for the study of avian cognition. The superior cognitive capabilities of corvids mainly emerge from a disproportionally large telencephalon found in these species. However, a systematic mapping of the neuroanatomy of the corvid brain, and the telencephalon in particular, is lacking so far. Here, we present a brain atlas of the carrion crow, Corvus corone, with special emphasis on the telencephalic pallium. We applied four staining techniques to brain slices (Nissl, myelin, combination of Nissl and myelin, and tyrosine hydroxylase targeting catecholaminergic neurons). This allowed us to identify brain nuclei throughout the brain and delineate the known pallial subdivisions termed hyperpallium, entopallium, mesopallium, nidopallium, arcopallium, and hippocampal complex. The extent of these subdivisions and brain nuclei are described according to stereotaxic coordinates. In addition, 3D depictions of pallial regions were reconstructed from these slices. While the overall organization of the carrion crow's brain matches other songbird brains, the relative proportions and expansions of associative pallial areas differ considerably in agreement with enhanced cognitive skills found in corvids. The presented global organization of the crow brain in stereotaxic coordinates will help to guide future neurobiological studies in corvids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylva Kersten
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Nieder
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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6
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Mitra S, Basu S, Singh O, Srivastava A, Singru PS. Calcium-binding proteins typify the dopaminergic neuronal subtypes in the ventral tegmental area of zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2562-2586. [PMID: 35715989 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) regulate neuronal function in midbrain dopamine (DA)-ergic neurons in mammals by buffering and sensing the intracellular Ca2+ , and vesicular release. In birds, the equivalent set of neurons are important in song learning, directed singing, courtship, and energy balance, yet the status of CBPs in these neurons is unknown. Herein, for the first time, we probe the nature of CBPs, namely, Calbindin-, Calretinin-, Parvalbumin-, and Secretagogin-expressing DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN) in the midbrain of zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata. qRT-PCR analysis of ventral midbrain tissue fragment revealed higher Calbindin- and Calretinin-mRNA levels compared to Parvalbumin and Secretagogin. Application of immunofluorescence showed CBP-immunoreactive (-i) neurons in VTA (anterior [VTAa], mid [VTAm], caudal [VTAc]), SN (compacta [SNc], and reticulata [SNr]). Compared to VTAa, higher Calbindin- and Parvalbumin-immunoreactivity (-ir), and lower Calretinin-ir were observed in VTAm and VTAc. Secretagogin-ir was highly localized to VTAa. In SN, Calbindin- and Calretinin-ir were higher in SNc, SNr was Parvalbumin enriched, and Secretagogin-ir was not detected. Weak, moderate, and intense tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-i VTA neurons were demarcated as subtypes 1, 2, and 3, respectively. While subtype 1 TH-i neurons were neither Calbindin- nor Calretinin-i, ∼80 and ∼65% subtype 2 and ∼30 and ∼45% subtype 3 TH-i neurons co-expressed Calbindin and Calretinin, respectively. All TH-i neuronal subtypes co-expressed Parvalbumin with reciprocal relationship with TH-ir. We suggest that the CBPs may determine VTA DA neuronal heterogeneity and differentially regulate their activity in T. guttata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saptarsi Mitra
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
| | - Sumela Basu
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
| | - Omprakash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
| | - Abhinav Srivastava
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
| | - Praful S Singru
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
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Cell-type specific pallial circuits shape categorical tuning responses in the crow telencephalon. Commun Biol 2022; 5:269. [PMID: 35338240 PMCID: PMC8956685 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03208-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL), an integration centre in the telencephalon of birds, plays a crucial role in representing and maintaining abstract categories and concepts. However, the computational principles allowing pallial microcircuits consisting of excitatory and inhibitory neurons to shape the tuning to abstract categories remain elusive. Here we identified the major pallial cell types, putative excitatory projection cells and inhibitory interneurons, by characterizing the waveforms of action potentials recorded in crows performing a cognitively demanding numerical categorization task. Both cell types showed clear differences in their capacity to encode categorical information. Nearby and functionally coupled putative projection neurons generally exhibited similar tuning, whereas putative interneurons showed mainly opposite tuning. The results favour feedforward mechanisms for the shaping of categorical tuning in microcircuits of the NCL. Our findings help to decipher the workings of pallial microcircuits in birds during complex cognition and to compare them vis-a-vis neocortical processes in mammals. Neural recordings from the caudolateral nidopallium in crows during a numerosity task suggest there are two subsets of projection neurons and inhibitory interneurons involved in complex cognition.
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Mitra S, Basu S, Singh O, Lechan RM, Singru PS. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide- and dopamine-containing systems interact in the ventral tegmental area of the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, during dynamic changes in energy status. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:2537-2559. [PMID: 34392422 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02348-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine (DA)-pathway regulates food-reward, feeding-related behaviour and energy balance. Evidence underscores the importance of feeding-related neuropeptides in modulating activity of these DA neurons. The neuropeptide, CART, a crucial regulator of energy balance, modulates DA-release, and influences the activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DAergic neurons in the mammalian brain. Whether CART- and DA-containing systems interact at the level of VTA to regulate energy balance, however, is poorly understood. We explored the interaction between CART- and DA-containing systems in midbrain of the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, an interesting model to study dynamic changes in energy balance due to higher BMR/daytime body temperature, and rapid responsiveness of the feeding-related neuropeptides to changes in energy state. Further, its midbrain DA-neurons share similarities with those in mammals. In the midbrain, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-i) neurons were seen in the substantia nigra (SN) and VTA [anterior (VTAa), mid (VTAm) and caudal (VTAc)]; those in VTA were smaller. In the VTA, CART-immunoreactive (CART-i)-fibers densely innervated TH-i neurons, and both CART-immunoreactivity (CART-ir) and TH-immunoreactivity (TH-ir) responded to energy status-dependent changes. Compared to fed and fasted birds, refeeding dramatically enhanced TH-ir and the percentage of TH-i neurons co-expressing FOS in the VTA. Increased prepro-CART-mRNA, CART-ir and a transient appearance of CART-i neurons was observed in VTAa of fasted, but not fed birds. To test the functional interaction between CART- and DA-containing systems, ex-vivo superfused midbrain-slices were treated with CART-peptide and changes in TH-ir analysed. Compared to control tissues, CART-treatment increased TH-ir in VTA but not SN. We propose that CART is a potential regulator of VTA DA-neurons and energy balance in T. guttata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saptarsi Mitra
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Sumela Basu
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Omprakash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Ronald M Lechan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Praful S Singru
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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Kirschhock ME, Ditz HM, Nieder A. Behavioral and Neuronal Representation of Numerosity Zero in the Crow. J Neurosci 2021; 41:4889-4896. [PMID: 33875573 PMCID: PMC8260164 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0090-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Different species of animals can discriminate numerosity, the countable number of objects in a set. The representations of countable numerosities have been deciphered down to the level of single neurons. However, despite its importance for human number theory, a special numerical quantity, the empty set (numerosity zero), has remained largely unexplored. We explored the behavioral and neuronal representation of the empty set in carrion crows. Crows were trained to discriminate small numerosities including the empty set. Performance data showed a numerical distance effect for the empty set in one crow, suggesting that the empty set and countable numerosities are represented along the crows' "mental number line." Single-cell recordings in the endbrain region nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) showed a considerable proportion of NCL neurons tuned to the preferred numerosity zero. As evidenced by neuronal distance and size effects, NCL neurons integrated the empty set in the neural number line. A subsequent neuronal population analysis using a statistical classifier approach showed that the neuronal numerical representations were predictive of the crows' success in the task. These behavioral and neuronal data suggests that the conception of the empty set as a cognitive precursor of a zero-like number concept is not an exclusive property of the cerebral cortex of primates. Zero as a quantitative category cannot only be implemented in the layered neocortex of primates, but also in the anatomically distinct endbrain circuitries of birds that evolved based on convergent evolution.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The conception of "nothing" as number "zero" is celebrated as one of the greatest achievements in mathematics. To explore whether precursors of zero-like concepts can be found in vertebrates with a cerebrum that anatomically differs starkly from our primate brain, we investigated this in carrion crows. We show that crows can grasp the empty set as a null numerical quantity that is mentally represented next to number one. Moreover, we show that single neurons in an associative avian cerebral region specifically respond to the empty set and show the same physiological characteristics as for countable quantities. This suggests that zero as a quantitative category can also be implemented in the anatomically distinct endbrain circuitries of birds that evolved based on convergent evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian E Kirschhock
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helen M Ditz
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Nieder
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Neural Code of Motor Planning and Execution during Goal-Directed Movements in Crows. J Neurosci 2021; 41:4060-4072. [PMID: 33608384 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0739-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The planning and execution of head-beak movements are vital components of bird behavior. They require integration of sensory input and internal processes with goal-directed motor output. Despite its relevance, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying action planning and execution outside of the song system are largely unknown. We recorded single-neuron activity from the associative endbrain area nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) of two male carrion crows (Corvus corone) trained to plan and execute head-beak movements in a spatial delayed response task. The crows were instructed to plan an impending movement toward one of eight possible targets on the left or right side of a touchscreen. In a fraction of trials, the crows were prompted to plan a movement toward a self-chosen target. NCL neurons signaled the impending motion direction in instructed trials. Tuned neuronal activity during motor planning categorically represented the target side, but also specific target locations. As a marker of intentional movement preparation, neuronal activity reliably predicted both target side and specific target location when the crows were free to select a target. In addition, NCL neurons were tuned to specific target locations during movement execution. A subset of neurons was tuned during both planning and execution period; these neurons experienced a sharpening of spatial tuning with the transition from planning to execution. These results show that the avian NCL not only represents high-level sensory and cognitive task components, but also transforms behaviorally-relevant information into dynamic action plans and motor execution during the volitional perception-action cycle of birds.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Corvid songbirds have become exciting new models for understanding complex cognitive behavior. As a key neural underpinning, the endbrain area nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) represents sensory and memory-related task components. How such representations are converted into goal-directed motor output remained unknown. In crows, we report that NCL neurons are involved in the planning and execution of goal-directed movements. NCL neurons prospectively signaled motion directions in instructed trials, but also when the crows were free to choose a target. NCL neurons showed a target-specific sharpening of tuning with the transition from the planning to the execution period. Thus, the avian NCL not only represents high-level sensory and cognitive task components, but also transforms relevant information into action plans and motor execution.
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Kersten Y, Friedrich-Müller B, Nieder A. A histological study of the song system of the carrion crow (Corvus corone). J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:2576-2595. [PMID: 33474740 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The song system of songbirds (oscines) is one of the best studied neuroethological model systems. So far, it has been treated as a relatively constrained sensorimotor system. Songbirds such as crows, however, are also known for their capability to cognitively control their audio-vocal system. Yet, the neuroanatomy of the corvid song system has never been explored systematically. We aim to close this scientific gap by presenting a stereotactic investigation of the extended song system of the carrion crow (Corvus corone), an oscine songbird of the corvid family that has become an interesting model system for cognitive neuroscience. In order to identify and delineate the song nuclei, the ascending auditory nuclei, and the descending vocal-motor nuclei, four stains were applied. In addition to the classical Nissl-, myelin-, and a combination of Nissl-and-myelin staining, staining for tyrosine hydroxylase was used to reveal the distribution of catecholaminergic neurons (dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and adrenergic) in the song system. We show that the crow brain contains the important song-related nuclei, including auditory input and motor output structures, and map them throughout the brain. Fiber-stained sections reveal putative connection patterns between the crow's song nuclei comparable to other songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylva Kersten
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Nieder
- Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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12
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Singh O, Agarwal N, Yadav A, Basu S, Malik S, Rani S, Kumar V, Singru PS. Concurrent changes in photoperiod-induced seasonal phenotypes and hypothalamic CART peptide-containing systems in night-migratory redheaded buntings. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:2775-2798. [PMID: 33141294 PMCID: PMC7608113 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02154-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis whether hypothalamic cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART)-containing systems were involved in photoperiod-induced responses associated with spring migration (hyperphagia and weight gain) and reproduction (gonadal maturation) in migratory songbirds. We specifically chose CART to examine neural mechanism(s) underlying photoperiod-induced responses, since it is a potent anorectic neuropeptide and involved in the regulation of changes in the body mass and reproduction in mammals. We first studied the distribution of CART-immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of migratory redheaded buntings (Emberiza bruniceps). CART-immunoreactive neurons were found extensively distributed in the preoptic, lateral hypothalamic (LHN), anterior hypothalamic (AN), suprachiasmatic (SCN), paraventricular (PVN), dorsomedialis hypothalami (DMN), inferior hypothalamic (IH), and infundibular (IN) nuclei. Then, we correlated hypothalamic CART-immunoreactivity in buntings with photostimulated seasonal states, particularly winter non-migratory/non-breeding (NMB) state under short days, and spring premigratory/pre-breeding (PMB) and migratory/breeding (MB) states under long days. There were significantly increased CART-immunoreactive cells, and percent fluorescent area of CART-immunoreactivity was significantly increased in all mapped hypothalamic areas, except the SCN, PVN, AN, and DMN in photostimulated PMB and MB states, as compared to the non-stimulated NMB state. In particular, CART was richly expressed in the medial preoptic nucleus, LHN, IH and IN during MB state in which buntings showed reduced food intake and increased night-time activity. These results suggest that changes in the activity of the CART-containing system in different brain regions were associated with heightened energy needs of the photoperiod-induced seasonal responses during spring migration and reproduction in migratory songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omprakash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Khurda, 752050, Odisha, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Neha Agarwal
- Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India.,Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Anupama Yadav
- Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
| | - Sumela Basu
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Khurda, 752050, Odisha, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Shalie Malik
- Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
| | - Sangeeta Rani
- Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | - Praful S Singru
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Khurda, 752050, Odisha, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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13
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Kumar S, Mohapatra AN, Pundir AS, Kumari M, Din U, Sharma S, Datta A, Arora V, Iyengar S. Blocking Opioid Receptors in a Songbird Cortical Region Modulates the Acoustic Features and Levels of Female-Directed Singing. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:554094. [PMID: 33071736 PMCID: PMC7533562 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.554094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The organization of the anterior forebrain pathway (AFP) of songbirds important for context-dependent singing is similar to that of cortical basal ganglia loops (CBG) in mammals, which underlie motor behaviors including vocalization. Since different components of the AFP express high levels of μ-opioid receptors (μ-ORs) as do CBG loops, songbirds act as model systems to study the role of opioid modulation on vocalization and the motivation to sing. The AFP in songbirds includes the cortical/pallial region LMAN (lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium) which projects to Area X, a nucleus of the avian basal ganglia. In the present study, microdialysis was used to infuse different doses of the opioid antagonist naloxone in LMAN of adult male zebra finches. Whereas all doses of naloxone led to significant decreases in the number of FD (female-directed) songs, only 100 and 200 ng/ml of naloxone affected their acoustic properties. The decrease in FD song was not accompanied by changes in levels of attention toward females or those of neurotransmitters (dopamine, glutamate, and GABA) in LMAN. An earlier study had shown that similar manipulations in Area X did not lead to alterations in the number of FD songs but had significantly greater effects on their acoustic properties. Taken together, our results suggest that there are reciprocal effects of OR modulation on cortical and basal ganglia components of the AFP in songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Uzma Din
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, India
| | | | - Atanu Datta
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, India
| | - Vasav Arora
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, India
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14
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Sex differences and similarities in the neural circuit regulating song and other reproductive behaviors in songbirds. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:258-269. [PMID: 32735803 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the 1970s, Nottebohm and Arnold reported marked male-biased sex differences in the volume of three song control nuclei in songbirds. Subsequently a series of studies on several songbird species suggested that there is a positive correlation between the degree to which there is a sex difference in the volume of these song control nuclei and in song behavior. This correlation has been questioned in recent years. Furthermore, it has become clear that the song circuit is fully integrated into a more comprehensive neural circuit that regulates multiple courtship and reproductive behaviors including song. Sex differences in songbirds should be evaluated in the context of the full complement of behaviors produced by both sexes in relation to reproduction and based on the entire circuit in order to understand the functional significance of variation between males and females in brain and behavior. Variation in brain and behavior exhibited among living songbird species provides an excellent opportunity to understand the functional significance of sex differences related to social behaviors.
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15
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von Eugen K, Tabrik S, Güntürkün O, Ströckens F. A comparative analysis of the dopaminergic innervation of the executive caudal nidopallium in pigeon, chicken, zebra finch, and carrion crow. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:2929-2955. [PMID: 32020608 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite the long, separate evolutionary history of birds and mammals, both lineages developed a rich behavioral repertoire of remarkably similar executive control generated by distinctly different brains. The seat for executive functioning in birds is the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) and the mammalian equivalent is known as the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Both are densely innervated by dopaminergic fibers, and are an integration center of sensory input and motor output. Whereas the variation of the PFC has been well documented in different mammalian orders, we know very little about the NCL across the avian clade. In order to investigate whether this structure adheres to species-specific variations, this study aimed to describe the trajectory of the NCL in pigeon, chicken, carrion crow and zebra finch. We employed immunohistochemistry to map dopaminergic innervation, and executed a Gallyas stain to visualize the dorsal arcopallial tract that runs between the NCL and the arcopallium. Our analysis showed that whereas the trajectory of the NCL in the chicken is highly comparable to the pigeon, the two Passeriformes show a strikingly different pattern. In both carrion crow and zebra finch, we identified four different subareas of high dopaminergic innervation that span the entire caudal forebrain. Based on their sensory input, motor output, and involvement in dopamine-related cognitive control of the delineated areas here, we propose that at least three morphologically different subareas constitute the NCL in these songbirds. Thus, our study shows that comparable to the PFC in mammals, the NCL in birds varies considerably across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaya von Eugen
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sepideh Tabrik
- Neurologische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil GmbH, Bochum, Germany
| | - Onur Güntürkün
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Felix Ströckens
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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16
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Format-dependent and format-independent representation of sequential and simultaneous numerosity in the crow endbrain. Nat Commun 2020; 11:686. [PMID: 32019934 PMCID: PMC7000399 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14519-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans’ symbolic counting skills are built on a primordial ability to approximately estimate the number of items, or numerosity. To date it is debated whether numerosities presented in categorically different formats, that is as temporal sequences versus spatial arrays, are represented abstractly in the brain. To address this issue, we identified the behavioral characteristics and neuronal codes for sequential and simultaneous number formats in crows. We find a format-dependent representation by distinct groups of selective neurons during the sensory encoding stage. However, an abstract and format-independent numerosity code emerges once the encoding phase is completed and numerosities needed to be memorized. These results suggest a successive two-stage code for categorically different number formats and help to reconcile conflicting findings observed in psychophysics and brain imaging. Numbers are processed as abstract categories, despite considerable variations in presentation formats. By recording single-neuron activity in behaving crows, the authors show successive format-dependent and format-independent numerosity codes in the avian endbrain.
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17
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The expression of DARPP-32 in adult male zebra finches (Taenopygia guttata). Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:2939-2972. [PMID: 31473781 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01947-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the catecholaminergic circuitry in the zebra finch brain has been well studied, there is little information regarding the postsynaptic targets of dopamine. To answer this question, we looked at overall patterns of immunoreactivity for DARPP-32 (a dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, present mostly in dopaminoceptive neurons) in adult male zebra finches. Our results demonstrated that as in mammals and other avian species, DARPP-32 expression was highest in both medial and lateral striatum. Interestingly, a specific pattern of immunoreactivity was observed in the song control system, with 'core' song control regions, that is, LMANcore (lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium), RA (nucleus robustus arcopallialis) and HVC being less immunoreactive for DARPP-32 than 'shell' areas such as LMANshell, RAcup, AId (intermediate arcopallium) and HVCshelf. Our results suggest that whereas dopamine may modulate the shell pathways at various levels of the AFP, dopaminergic modulation of the core pathway occurs mainly through Area X, a basal ganglia nucleus. Further, secondary sensory cortices including the perientopallial belt, Fields L1 and L3 had higher DARPP-32-immunoreactivity than primary sensory cortical areas such as the pallial basolateral nucleus, entopallium proper and Field L2, corresponding to somatosensory, visual and auditory systems, respectively. We also found DARPP-32-rich axon terminals surrounding dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area-substantia nigra complex which in turn project to the striatum, suggesting that there may be a reciprocal modulation between these regions. Overall, DARPP-32 expression appears to be higher in areas involved in integrating sensory information, which further supports the role of this protein as a molecular integrator of different signal processing pathways.
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18
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Volitional control of vocalizations in corvid songbirds. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000375. [PMID: 31454343 PMCID: PMC6711494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Songbirds are renowned for their acoustically elaborate songs. However, it is unclear whether songbirds can cognitively control their vocal output. Here, we show that crows, songbirds of the corvid family, can be trained to exert control over their vocalizations. In a detection task, three male carrion crows rapidly learned to emit vocalizations in response to a visual cue with no inherent meaning (go trials) and to withhold vocalizations in response to another cue (catch trials). Two of these crows were then trained on a go/nogo task, with the cue colors reversed, in addition to being rewarded for withholding vocalizations to yet another cue (nogo trials). Vocalizations in response to the detection of the go cue were temporally precise and highly reliable in all three crows. Crows also quickly learned to withhold vocal output in nogo trials, showing that vocalizations were not produced by an anticipation of a food reward in correct trials. The results demonstrate that corvids can volitionally control the release and onset of their vocalizations, suggesting that songbird vocalizations are under cognitive control and can be decoupled from affective states. Songbirds are renowned for their acoustically elaborate songs, but it is unclear whether they have cognitive control over their vocal output. Using operant conditioning, this study shows that carrion crows, songbirds of the corvid family, can exert control over their vocalizations.
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Neuronal Correlates of Spatial Working Memory in the Endbrain of Crows. Curr Biol 2019; 29:2616-2624.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.06.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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20
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Kumar S, Mohapatra AN, Sharma HP, Singh UA, Kambi NA, Velpandian T, Rajan R, Iyengar S. Altering Opioid Neuromodulation in the Songbird Basal Ganglia Modulates Vocalizations. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:671. [PMID: 31333400 PMCID: PMC6618663 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the interplay between endogenous opioids and dopamine (DA) in the basal ganglia (BG) is known to underlie diverse motor functions, few studies exist on their role in modulating speech and vocalization. Vocal impairment is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), wherein DA depletion affects striosomes rich in μ-opioid receptors (μ-ORs). Symptoms of opioid addiction also include deficiencies in verbal functions and speech. To understand the interplay between the opioid system and BG in vocalization, we used adult male songbirds wherein high levels of μ-ORs are expressed in Area X, a BG region which is part of a circuit similar to the mammalian thalamocortical-basal ganglia loop. Changes in DA, glutamate and GABA levels were analyzed during the infusion of different doses of the μ-OR antagonist naloxone (50 and 100 ng/ml) specifically in Area X. Blocking μ-ORs in Area X with 100 ng/ml naloxone led to increased levels of DA in this region without altering the number of songs directed toward females (FD). Interestingly, this manipulation also led to changes in the spectro-temporal properties of FD songs, suggesting that altered opioid modulation in the thalamocortical-basal ganglia circuit can affect vocalization. Our study suggests that songbirds are excellent model systems to explore how the interplay between μ-ORs and DA modulation in the BG affects speech/vocalization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hanuman Prasad Sharma
- Department of Ocular Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Dr. R. P. Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Thirumurthy Velpandian
- Department of Ocular Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Dr. R. P. Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Raghav Rajan
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Pune, India
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