Locating Muscle Memory of Vocal Motor Skills

Información del proyecto

SavINGS

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 701660

DOI

10.3030/701660

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 17 Febrero 2016

Fecha de inicio 1 Enero 2017

Fecha de finalización 31 Diciembre 2018

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 212 194,80

Aportación de la UE

€ 212 194,80

Coordinado por

SYDDANSK UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Objetivo

Fine motor skills, such as singing or playing an instrument, require precise neural control of the musculature that executes the task. This high level of precision can only be acquired through extensive practice, while both the brain and the peripheral musculature adapt to the task. Although the level of motor performance decreases when a skill is not used, once acquired, previous levels of performance can be regained quickly with only little practice, a phenomenon called ‘savings’. It is unclear, however, what mechanisms underlie savings, and where the information is stored that enables the quick retrieval of previously learned skills.

To investigate these questions we propose to use our recently developed model system that allows us to experimentally control the acquisition, discontinuation, and re-acquisition of vocal motor performance in songbirds. This novel model system provides us with an excellent opportunity to untangle the contributions of the central nervous system and the peripheral musculature involved in song production to the savings of vocal motor skills.

Using in vivo two-photon microscopy, we will study dynamic changes in the dendritic arborization of motor neurons in the songbird brain during the development, discontinuation, and rapid retrieval of vocal motor performance. At these different stages of skill utilization we will also investigate structural changes to the vocal organ with in vivo x-ray microtomography (µCT) and quantify the mechanical performance of isolated muscle bundles in vitro afterwards. Together these approaches will demonstrate whether modifications to the brain, the vocal musculature, or both, contribute to the savings of vocal motor skills, and enhance our understanding of the neural and peripheral mechanisms that are responsible for memorization and recall of motor skills.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › neurobiología
• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › óptica › microscopía

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

Coordinador

SYDDANSK UNIVERSITET

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 212 194,80
• Dirección: CAMPUSVEJ 55 ; 5230 Odense M ; Dinamarca
• Región: Danmark › Syddanmark › Fyn
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 212 194,80