Adult neurogenesis is associated with the maintenance of a Stereotyped, Learned Motor Behavior

Abstract

Adult neurogenesisis thoughttoprovide neural plasticity used in forming and storing new memories. Here we show a novel relationship between numbers of new neurons and the stability of a previously learned motor pattern.In the adult zebrafinch, new projection neurons are added to the nucleus HVC and become part of the motor pathway for producing learned song. However,new song learning occurs only in juveniles and the behavioral impact of adding new neurons to HVC throughout life is unclear. We report that song changes after deafening are inversely to HVC, suggesting that adult neurogenesis in this context may contribute to behavioral stability. More broadly,we propose that new neuron function may depend on the site of integration and can vary as widely as promoting, or restricting, behavioral plasticity. © 2012 the authors.