Research target: Focus of my project is to understand neural dynamics in premotor area during vocal learning period. Vocal learning of juvenile songbird is analogous to speech learning of human infant, which is not yet well understood in neural level. We use two-photon calcium imaging to record single cell level in vivo neural activity in broad field of premotor cortex. Therefore the result from this study can be pioneering work to understand how show deep insights into how the structure of neural circuit in songbird changes and develops during vocal learning period.
Experiment plan: Through the sensorimotor phase (40 dph to 90 dph), neural activity in premotor area is recorded for 1.5hrs/day occasionally. The recorded neural activity is analyzed to find correlations to vocal learning rate (similarity score to the tutor song).