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Full-Text Articles in Psychology
Presynaptic Control Of Rapid Estrogen Fluctuations In The Songbird Auditory Forebrain, Luke Remage_Healey, S. Dong, N. T. Maidment, B. A. Schlinger
Presynaptic Control Of Rapid Estrogen Fluctuations In The Songbird Auditory Forebrain, Luke Remage_Healey, S. Dong, N. T. Maidment, B. A. Schlinger
Luke Remage-Healey
Within the CNS of vertebrates, estrogens can directly modulate neural circuits that govern a wide range of behaviors, including feeding, spatial navigation, reproduction, and auditory processing. The rapid actions of estrogens in brain (seconds to minutes) have become well established, but it is unclear how estrogens are synthesized and released within restricted temporal and spatial domains in neural circuits. Anatomical localization of the estrogen synthesis enzyme (aromatase) within presynaptic terminals suggests that neuroestrogens can be synthesized directly at the neuronal synapse. A consequent prediction follows that synaptic estrogen production is controlled via classical electrochemical events in neurons. Here, we present …
Brain Estrogens Rapidly Strengthen Auditory Encoding And Guide Song Preference In A Songbird, Luke Remage_Healey, M. J. Colemand, R. K. Oyamaa, B. A. Schlinger
Brain Estrogens Rapidly Strengthen Auditory Encoding And Guide Song Preference In A Songbird, Luke Remage_Healey, M. J. Colemand, R. K. Oyamaa, B. A. Schlinger
Luke Remage-Healey
Higher cognitive function depends on accurate detection and processing of subtle features of sensory stimuli. Such precise computations require neural circuits to be modulated over rapid timescales, yet this modulation is poorly understood. Brain-derived steroids (neurosteroids) can act as fast signaling molecules in the vertebrate central nervous system and could therefore modulate sensory processing and guide behavior, but there is no empirical evidence for this possibility. Here we report that acute inhibition of estrogen production within a cortical-like region involved in complex auditory processing disrupts a songbird’s ability to behaviorally respond to song stimuli. Identical manipulation of local estrogen levels …
Plasticity In Brain Sexuality Is Revealed By The Rapid Actions Of Steroid Hormones, Luke Remage_Healey, Andrew H. Bass
Plasticity In Brain Sexuality Is Revealed By The Rapid Actions Of Steroid Hormones, Luke Remage_Healey, Andrew H. Bass
Luke Remage-Healey
Divergent steroid hormone profiles can shape the development of male versus female neural phenotypes, but whether they also determine differences in the short-term, neurophysiological patterning of behavior is unknown. We now show that steroid hormone-specific modulation of a vocal pattern generator (VPG) diverges between reproductive morphs in a teleost fish. Only type I male midshipman acoustically court females, whereas type II males steal fertilizations from type I males and, like females, generate only agonistic calls. The androgen 11-ketotestosterone (11kT), but not testosterone (T), rapidly (within 5 min) increases type I VPG output. As now shown, T, but not 11kT, rapidly …
Rapid, Hierarchical Modulation Of Vocal Patterning By Steroid Hormones, Luke Remage_Healey, Andrew H. Bass
Rapid, Hierarchical Modulation Of Vocal Patterning By Steroid Hormones, Luke Remage_Healey, Andrew H. Bass
Luke Remage-Healey
Vocal control systems have been identified in all major groups of jawed vertebrates. Although steroid hormones are instrumental in the long-term development and maintenance of neural structures underlying vocalization, it is unknown whether steroids rapidly modulate the neural activity of vocal motor systems. The midshipman fish generates advertisement and agonistic calls that mainly differ in duration. A descending midbrain pathway activates a hindbrain-spinal vocal circuit that directly establishes the discharge frequency and duration of the rhythmic vocal motor volley. This vocal motor output, which can be monitored from occipital nerve roots, directly determines the rate and duration of contraction of …