An Adapting Auditory-motor Feedback Loop Can Contribute to Generating Vocal Repetition

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004471
• Publication Date: 2015-10-08T18:13:34Z
• Authors: Jason D. Wittenbach; Kristofer E. Bouc...; Michael S. Brainard; Dezhe Z. Jin
• Keywords: Auditory feedback; Repetition (rhetorical device); Neural adaptation; Feedback loop

Consecutive repetition of actions is common in behavioral sequences. Although integration sensory feedback with internal motor programs important for sequence generation, if and how contributes to repetitive poorly understood. Here we study auditory generating syllable sequences songbirds. We propose that signals provide positive ongoing commands, but this influence decays as weakens from response adaptation during repetitions. Computational models show mechanism explains repeat distributions observed Bengalese finch song. experimentally confirmed two predictions finches: removal by deafening reduces repetitions; neural responses playback repeated gradually adapt sensory-motor nucleus HVC. Together, our results implicate a auditory-feedback loop vocalizations, suggest control