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Localization of a vocal pattern generator in the pontine brainstem of the squirrel monkey
Author(s) -
Hage Steffen R.,
Jürgens Uwe
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.04595.x
Subject(s) - brainstem , squirrel monkey , reticular formation , neuroscience , central pattern generator , premovement neuronal activity , biology , anatomy , psychology , communication , rhythm , acoustics , physics , nucleus
Very little is known about the coordination of muscles involved in mammalian vocalization at the level of single neurons. In the present study, a telemetric single‐unit recording technique was used to explore the ventrolateral pontine brainstem for vocalization‐correlated activity in the squirrel monkey during vocal communication. We found a discrete area in the reticular formation just above the superior olivary complex showing vocalization‐correlated activity. These neurons showed an increase in neuronal activity exclusively just before and during vocalization; none of them was active during mastication, swallowing or quiet respiration. Furthermore, the neuronal activity of these neurons reflected acoustic features, such as call duration or syllable structure of frequency‐modulated vocalization, directly. Based on these findings and previously reported anatomical data, we propose that this area serves as a vocal pattern generator for frequency‐modulated call types.