Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated review

Similar to human language, songbird singing is a complex motor skill learning behavior that is regulated by an interconnected network of neural nuclei in the brain. This network of nuclei demonstrates structural homology with human vocal control-related brain regions and shares common regulatory mec...

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Main Authors: Linghua Zhong, Weiting Li, Mengjiao Liu, Wei Sun, Zhibin Liu, Songhua Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PeerJ Inc. 2025-06-01
Series:PeerJ
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Online Access:https://peerj.com/articles/19500.pdf
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author Linghua Zhong
Weiting Li
Mengjiao Liu
Wei Sun
Zhibin Liu
Songhua Wang
author_facet Linghua Zhong
Weiting Li
Mengjiao Liu
Wei Sun
Zhibin Liu
Songhua Wang
author_sort Linghua Zhong
collection DOAJ
description Similar to human language, songbird singing is a complex motor skill learning behavior that is regulated by an interconnected network of neural nuclei in the brain. This network of nuclei demonstrates structural homology with human vocal control-related brain regions and shares common regulatory mechanisms for vocal learning. As an important neurotransmitter, dopamine plays a key role in the learning and maintenance of songbirds’ singing behavior. Studies have demonstrated that the dopaminergic system plays a critical role in regulating the plasticity of singing via the midbrain dopamine pathway, which projects to the song control circuit. Novel experimental techniques, such as optogenetic circuit manipulation and neural activity monitoring, have significantly advanced our understanding of the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying vocalization behavior of dopamine effects. This review offers an updated insight into the neural mechanisms by which dopamine modulates singing-related behavior, along with future prospects for utilizing dopamine in the treatment of speech-related disorders.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2167-8359
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publisher PeerJ Inc.
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series PeerJ
spelling doaj-art-8e01ebb780ca4663ad0804b0b40ebcc32025-08-20T02:31:02ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592025-06-0113e1950010.7717/peerj.19500Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated reviewLinghua Zhong0Weiting Li1Mengjiao Liu2Wei Sun3Zhibin Liu4Songhua Wang5School of Sports and Health, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, ChinaSchool of Sports and Health, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, ChinaJiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecules, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, ChinaJiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecules, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, ChinaSchool of Sports and Health, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, ChinaJiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecules, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, ChinaSimilar to human language, songbird singing is a complex motor skill learning behavior that is regulated by an interconnected network of neural nuclei in the brain. This network of nuclei demonstrates structural homology with human vocal control-related brain regions and shares common regulatory mechanisms for vocal learning. As an important neurotransmitter, dopamine plays a key role in the learning and maintenance of songbirds’ singing behavior. Studies have demonstrated that the dopaminergic system plays a critical role in regulating the plasticity of singing via the midbrain dopamine pathway, which projects to the song control circuit. Novel experimental techniques, such as optogenetic circuit manipulation and neural activity monitoring, have significantly advanced our understanding of the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying vocalization behavior of dopamine effects. This review offers an updated insight into the neural mechanisms by which dopamine modulates singing-related behavior, along with future prospects for utilizing dopamine in the treatment of speech-related disorders.https://peerj.com/articles/19500.pdfDopamineSongbirdSinging behaviorSong control system
spellingShingle Linghua Zhong
Weiting Li
Mengjiao Liu
Wei Sun
Zhibin Liu
Songhua Wang
Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated review
PeerJ
Dopamine
Songbird
Singing behavior
Song control system
title Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated review
title_full Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated review
title_fullStr Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated review
title_full_unstemmed Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated review
title_short Neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds: an updated review
title_sort neural mechanism of dopamine modulating singing related behavior in songbirds an updated review
topic Dopamine
Songbird
Singing behavior
Song control system
url https://peerj.com/articles/19500.pdf
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AT weisun neuralmechanismofdopaminemodulatingsingingrelatedbehaviorinsongbirdsanupdatedreview
AT zhibinliu neuralmechanismofdopaminemodulatingsingingrelatedbehaviorinsongbirdsanupdatedreview
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