Functional connections between the HVC and the shelf of the zebra finch revealed by real-time optical imaging technique

Auditory-motor interaction is essential for the understanding of avian song learning and maintenance. The HVC is thought to be the most important stat ion for auditory-motor integration in the avian song system. However, littl e is known about where and how auditory inputs are conveyed into the HVC. T he shelf, a multi-auditory recipient region located along the ventral borde r of the HVC, is thought to be a possible source of auditory inputs to the HVC. Here, we investigated the functional neural connections between the HV C and surrounding area of the HVC including the shelf in zebra finch brain slices, using the real-time optical recording technique. Unexpectedly elect rical stimulation of the shelf region did not induce signal propagation int o the HVC, but stimulation within the HVC propagated strong signals into th e shelf. These results suggest that the shelf is the region that receives o utput signals from the HVC, rather than a major source of auditory inputs t o the HVC. NeuroReport 12:215-221 (C) 2001 Lippintott Williams & Wilkins.