Production and survival of projection neurons in a forebrain vocal center of adult male canaries

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Journal of Neuroscience; (United States)

OSTI ID:5396723

Kirn, J R; Alvarez-Buylla, A; Nottebohm, F ^[1]

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1. Rockefeller University Field Research Center, Millbrook, New York (USA)

Neurons are produced in the adult canary telencephalon. Many of these cells are incorporated into the high vocal center (nucleus HVC), which participates in the control of learned song. In the present work, 3H-thymidine and fluorogold were employed to follow the differentiation and survival of HVC neurons born in adulthood. We found that many HVC neurons born in September grow long axons to the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (nucleus RA) and thus become part of the efferent pathway for song control. Many of these new neurons have already established their connections with RA by 30 d after their birth. By 240 d, 75-80% of the September-born HVC neurons project to RA. Most of these new projection neurons survive at least 8 months. The longevity of HVC neurons born in September suggests that these cells remain part of the vocal control circuit long enough to participate in the yearly renewal of the song repertoire.

• OSTI ID: 5396723
• Journal Information: Journal of Neuroscience; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Neuroscience; (United States) Vol. 11:6; ISSN JNRSD; ISSN 0270-6474
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

551001* -- Physiological Systems-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
AZINES
BIRDS
BODY
BRAIN
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DNA REPLICATION
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LEARNING
NERVE CELLS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEIC ACID REPLICATION
NUCLEOSIDES
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PYRIMIDINES
RIBOSIDES
SOMATIC CELLS
SURVIVAL TIME
THYMIDINE
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES