Abstract for talk:

The neural basis of cognition represents a grand challenge involving multiple problems and approaches tied together by one common theme - analysis of behavior. Birdsong learning has proven to be a particularly useful model system to explore how behavior is represented at multiple levels of brain function. I will describe recent progress in this system, with particular emphasis on perceptual and sensorimotor learning mechanisms, and the role of sleep in the learning process.  Collectively these results emphasize the importance of an organismal-level approach to the problem of brain and behavior, placing it within and taking advantage of the comparative evolutionary context.

Suggested Articles:

Shank, S. S., & Margoliash, D. (2009). Sleep and sensorimotor integration during early vocal learning in a songbird. Nature, 458(7234), 73-77.[.pdf]

Dave, A. S., & Margoliash, D. (2000). Song replay during sleep and computational rules for sensorimotor vocal learning. Science, 290(5492), 812-816.[.pdf]

Fenn, K. M., Nusbaum, H. C., & Margoliash, D. (2003). Consolidation during sleep of perceptual learning of spoken language. Nature, 425(6958), 614-616.[.pdf]

Margoliash, D., & Fenn, K. M. (2007). Sleep and memory consolidation in audition In P. Dallos & D. Oertel (Eds.), Handbook of the Senses.  Vol. 5.  Audition: Elsevier.