Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34518637›Full record

ArticleCommunications biology2021

A memory-driven auditory program ensures selective and precise vocal imitation in zebra finches.

Wan-Chun Liu, Michelle Landstrom, Gillian Schutt, Mia Inserra, Francesca Fernandez

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Communications biology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 26% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 10 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. The Amygdala Regulates Social Motivation for Selective Vocal Imitation in Zebra Finches.The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Wan-Chun LiuDepartment of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA. wliu1@colgate.edu.ORCID 0000-0002-5883-0547
Michelle LandstromDepartment of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7849-8257
Gillian SchuttDepartment of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA.
Mia InserraDepartment of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA.
Francesca FernandezDepartment of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA.
Colgate University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In the vocal learning model, the juvenile first memorizes a model sound, and the imprinted memory gradually converts into vocal-motor output during the sensorimotor integration. However, early acquired memory may not precisely represent the fine structures of a model sound. How do juveniles ensure precise model imitation? Here we show that juvenile songbirds develop an auditory learning program by actively and attentively engaging with tutor's singing during the sensorimotor phase. The listening/approaching behavior requires previously acquired model memory and the individual variability of approaching behavior correlates with the precision of tutor song imitation. Moreover, it is modulated by dopamine and associated with forebrain regions for sensory processing. Overall, precise vocal learning may involve two steps of auditory processing: a passive imprinting of model memory occurs during the early sensory period; the previously acquired memory then guides an active and selective engagement of the re-exposed model to fine tune model imitation.

Indexed as

Imitative BehaviorMemoryVocalization, AnimalAcoustic StimulationAnimalsFemaleFinchesLearningMaleSongbirds

Identifiers

PMID34518637
PMCPMC8437935
OpenAlexW3199725634

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.