Publications by authors named "Sean D T Aitken"
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates seasonal changes in neurogenesis, or new neuron formation, in specific brain regions related to vocal behavior and auditory perception in European starlings.
- Researchers found differences in the type and amount of neurogenesis between spring and fall, with males showing increased neurogenesis in certain brain areas during fall, while females did not exhibit seasonal differences.
- Additionally, the study noted a higher level of plasma corticosterone in spring, linked to male reproductive conditions, but no correlation with neurogenesis or stress indicators in either sex.
Neural plasticity in the hippocampus has been studied in a wide variety of model systems, including in avian species where the hippocampus underlies specialized spatial behaviours. Examples of such behaviours include navigating to a home roost over long distances by homing pigeons or returning to a potential nest site for egg deposit by brood parasites. The best studied example, however, is food storing in parids and the interaction between this behaviour and changes in hippocampus volume and neurogenesis.
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