scholarly journals Distinct timescales for the neuronal encoding of vocal signals in a high-order auditory area

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurore Cazala ◽  
Catherine Del Negro ◽  
Nicolas Giret
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Vocal Communication ◽  
High Order ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Vocal Signals ◽  
Natural Sound ◽  
Auditory Area ◽  
Natural Variations ◽  
Neuronal Encoding

AbstractThe ability of the auditory system to selectively recognize natural sound categories while maintaining a certain degree of tolerance towards variations within these categories, which may have functional roles, is thought to be crucial for vocal communication. To date, it is still largely unknown how the balance between tolerance and sensitivity to variations in acoustic signals is coded at a neuronal level. Here, we investigate whether neurons in a high-order auditory area in zebra finches, a songbird species, are sensitive to natural variations in vocal signals by recording their responses to repeated exposures to identical and variant sound sequences. We used the songs of male birds which tend to be highly repetitive with only subtle variations between renditions. When playing these songs to both anesthetized and awake birds, we found that variations between songs did not affect the neuron firing rate but the temporal reliability of responses. This suggests that auditory processing operates on a range of distinct timescales, namely a short one to detect variations in vocal signals, and longer ones that allow the birds to tolerate variations in vocal signal structure and to encode the global context.

scholarly journals Distinct timescales for the neuronal encoding of vocal signals in a high-order auditory area

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurore Cazala ◽  
Catherine Del Negro ◽  
Nicolas Giret
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Vocal Communication ◽  
High Order ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Vocal Signals ◽  
Natural Sound ◽  
Auditory Area ◽  
Natural Variations ◽  
Neuronal Encoding

The ability of the auditory system to selectively recognize natural sound categories with a tolerance to variations within categories is thought to be crucial for vocal communication. Subtle variations, however, may have functional roles. To date, how the coding of the balance between tolerance and sensitivity to variations in acoustic signals is performed at the neuronal level requires further studies. We investigated whether neurons of a high-order auditory area in a songbird species, the zebra finch, are sensitive to natural variations in vocal signals by recording responses to repeated exposure to similar and variant sound sequences. We took advantage of the intensive repetition of the male songs which subtly vary from rendition to rendition. In both anesthetized and awake birds, responses based on firing rate during sequence presentation did not show any clear sensitivity to these variations, unlike the temporal reliability of responses based on a 10 milliseconds resolution that depended on whether variant or similar sequences were broadcasted and the context of presentation. Results therefore suggest that auditory processing operates on distinct timescales, a short one to detect variations in individual's vocal signals, longer ones that allow tolerance in vocal signal structure and the encoding of the global context.

scholarly journals Discrimination of natural acoustic variation in vocal signals

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam R. Fishbein ◽  
Nora H. Prior ◽  
Jane A. Brown ◽  
Gregory F. Ball ◽  
Robert J. Dooling
Keyword(s):  
Zebra Finch ◽  
Acoustic Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Speech Sounds ◽  
Vocal Signals ◽  
Acoustic Variation ◽  
Zebra Finch Song ◽  
Human Listener

AbstractStudies of acoustic communication often focus on the categories and units of vocalizations, but subtle variation also occurs in how these signals are uttered. In human speech, it is not only phonemes and words that carry information but also the timbre, intonation, and stress of how speech sounds are delivered (often referred to as “paralinguistic content”). In non-human animals, variation across utterances of vocal signals also carries behaviorally relevant information across taxa. However, the discriminability of these cues has been rarely tested in a psychophysical paradigm. Here, we focus on acoustic communication in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a songbird species in which the male produces a single stereotyped motif repeatedly in song bouts. These motif renditions, like the song repetitions of many birds, sound very similar to the casual human listener. In this study, we show that zebra finches can easily discriminate between the renditions, even at the level of single song syllables, much as humans can discriminate renditions of speech sounds. These results support the notion that sensitivity to fine acoustic details may be a primary channel of information in zebra finch song, as well as a shared, foundational property of vocal communication systems across species.

scholarly journals Rapid orienting of spatial attention toward and away from aggressive voices

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Burra ◽  
Dirk Kerzel ◽  
David Munoz ◽  
Didier Grandjean ◽  
Leonardo Ceravolo
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Attention ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Auditory Modality ◽  
Attentional Processing ◽  
Auditory Spatial Attention ◽  
Vocal Signals

Salient vocalizations, especially aggressive voices, are believed to attract attention due to an automatic threat detection system. However, studies assessing the temporal dynamics of auditory spatial attention to aggressive voices are missing. Using event-related potential markers of auditory spatial attention (N2ac and LPCpc), we show that attentional processing of threatening vocal signals is enhanced at two different stages of auditory processing. As early as 200 ms post stimulus onset, attentional orienting/engagement is enhanced for threatening as compared to happy vocal signals. Subsequently, as early as 400 ms post stimulus onset, the reorienting of auditory attention to the center of the screen (or disengagement from the target) is enhanced. This latter effect is consistent with the need to optimize perception by balancing the intake of stimulation from left and right auditory space. Our results extend the scope of theories from the visual to the auditory modality by showing that threatening stimuli also bias early spatial attention in the auditory modality. Although not the focus of the present work, we observed that the attentional enhancement was more pronounced in female than male participants.

scholarly journals Neuronal Encoding in a High-Level Auditory Area: From Sequential Order of Elements to Grammatical Structure

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (31) ◽  
pp. 6150-6161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurore Cazala ◽  
Nicolas Giret ◽  
Jean-Marc Edeline ◽  
Catherine Del Negro
Keyword(s):  
Grammatical Structure ◽  
Sequential Order ◽  
Auditory Area ◽  
High Level ◽  
Neuronal Encoding ◽  
Order Of Elements

scholarly journals Identification and analysis of vocal communication pathways in birds through inducible gene expression

2004 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio V. Mello
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Control Brain ◽  
Activity Dependent ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Inducible Gene

The immediate-early gene zenk is an activity-dependent gene highly induced in auditory processing or vocal motor control brain areas when birds engage in hearing or producing song, respectively. Studies of the expression of zenk in songbirds and other avian groups will be reviewed here briefly, with a focus on how this analysis has generated new insights on the brain pathways and mechanisms involved in perceptual and motor aspects of vocal communication and vocal learning.

An Analysis of Vocal Communication in Young Brown Noddies (Anous stolidus)

The Auk ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane E. Riska
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
The Third ◽  
Vocal Signals

Abstract Nestlings and young fledglings of the Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) produce three structurally different vocal signals. The postures of the chicks and the contexts in which these signals are produced differ for each call. Nestlings produce all three calls within one day after hatching. One is given during pipping, when the chick is moving on or near the nest, or when it is isolated from the nest. The second is given by begging chicks. The third is given when an intruder approaches. The repertoire is composed of frequency-modulated tonal elements and broad-band bursts of sound. Although changes occur in the temporal and frequency patterns of the calls during the nestling and fledgling stages, there is little resemblance to the adult repertoire during these periods.

Vibrational Communication in Subterranean Rodents

1998 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Francescoli ◽  
Carlos A. Altuna
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Seismic Signals ◽  
Evolutionary Sequence ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Vibrational Signals ◽  
Vocal Signals ◽  
Long Range Communication ◽  
Solitary Species ◽  
Fossorial Species

Here we discuss different factors that could influence the development of vocal and/or seismic communicative channels in subterranean rodents. We suggest that: 1) Highly social subterranean rodents that do not leave their burrows use essentially vocal signals in the vibrational channel; 2) Solitary and almost permanently fossorial species use vocal signals in short range and seismic signals in long range communication; 3) Other solitary species that leave the burrow system more frequently and that retain good visual capabilities are constrained to use vocal communication only. Also we suggest that seismic communication probably derives from digging activities and, consequently, developed after the acquisition of the subterranean way of life. The first three statements are based on a previously proposed relationship between visual capabilities, hearing capabilities, time spent outside the burrows, social organization and type of vibrational signals used by the species. The fourth statement is based in the correlation found between digging and transporting tools and thumping tools, that are the same across the literature on pertinent genera. Some thumping techniques unique to subterranean animals lead us to propose an evolutionary sequence leading from digging to thumping.

An Analysis of Vocal Communication in the Adult Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)

The Auk ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane E. Riska
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Wide Band ◽  
Basic Unit ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Mean Frequency ◽  
Dry Tortugas ◽  
Msec Duration ◽  
Vocal Signals ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nesting Season

Abstract I analyzed vocal signals of marked adult Brown Noddies (Anous stolidus) throughout their nesting season in the Dry Tortugas, Florida from 1979 to 1982. The basic unit of the adult repertoire is a wide-band click, less than 4 msec duration, ranging in frequency from 200 to 3,300 Hz. I identified nine temporal arrangements of these clicks, which form the notes of the calls. These calls differ little in frequency range, but they differ in the mean frequency of the most intense sound energy band, in note duration, in the number of clicks per note, and in internote interval. These calls are used in different contexts, which sometimes overlap. Frequency, note duration, and internote interval do not differ between sexes. Mean frequency and note length varied among individuals for some calls. No tonal elements characteristic of calls of Brown Noddy nestlings remain in the adult repertoire.

scholarly journals Inhibitory Network Interactions Shape the Auditory Processing of Natural Communication Signals in the Songbird Auditory Forebrain

2008 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 441-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Pinaud ◽  
Thomas A. Terleph ◽  
Liisa A. Tremere ◽  
Mimi L. Phan ◽  
André A. Dagostin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Frequency Tuning ◽  
Response Component ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Communication Signal ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings ◽  
Caudomedial Nidopallium ◽  
Inhibitory Networks

The role of GABA in the central processing of complex auditory signals is not fully understood. We have studied the involvement of GABAA-mediated inhibition in the processing of birdsong, a learned vocal communication signal requiring intact hearing for its development and maintenance. We focused on caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), an area analogous to parts of the mammalian auditory cortex with selective responses to birdsong. We present evidence that GABAA-mediated inhibition plays a pronounced role in NCM's auditory processing of birdsong. Using immunocytochemistry, we show that approximately half of NCM's neurons are GABAergic. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings in a slice preparation demonstrate that, at rest, spontaneously active GABAergic synapses inhibit excitatory inputs onto NCM neurons via GABAA receptors. Multi-electrode electrophysiological recordings in awake birds show that local blockade of GABAA-mediated inhibition in NCM markedly affects the temporal pattern of song-evoked responses in NCM without modifications in frequency tuning. Surprisingly, this blockade increases the phasic and largely suppresses the tonic response component, reflecting dynamic relationships of inhibitory networks that could include disinhibition. Thus processing of learned natural communication sounds in songbirds, and possibly other vocal learners, may depend on complex interactions of inhibitory networks.

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