Across vertebrates, the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a critical role in social and vocal behavior. Dopaminergic neurotransmission also modulates these behaviors, and dopaminergic innervation of the PAG has been well documented. Nonetheless, the potential role of dopamine in shaping vocal production at the level of the PAG is not well understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that dopamine modulates vocal production in the PAG, using a well-characterized vertebrate model system for the study of vocal communication, the plainfin midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus. We found that focal dopamine injections to the midshipman PAG rapidly and reversibly inhibited vocal production triggered by stimulation of known vocal-motor structures in the preoptic area / anterior hypothalamus. While dopamine inhibited vocal-motor output, it did not alter behaviorally-relevant parameters of this output, such as vocalization duration and frequency. Dopamine-induced inhibition of vocal production was prevented by the combined blockade of D1- and D2-like receptors but was unaffected by isolated blockade of either D1-receptors or D2-receptors. Our results suggest dopamine neuromodulation in the midshipman PAG may inhibit natural vocal behavior, in courtship and/or agonistic social contexts.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114131 | DOI Listing |
J Voice
January 2025
Department of Audio, Video, and Electronic Forensics, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Key Laboratory of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China.
Drug abuse can cause severe damage to the human speech organs. The vocal folds are one of the important speech organs that produce voice through vibration when airflow passes through. Previous studies have reported the negative effects of drugs on speech organs, including the vocal folds, but there is still limited research on relevant field.
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January 2025
Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, 4-9-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8540, Japan.
Introduction: Vocal distortion, also known as a scream or growl, is used worldwide as an essential technique in singing, especially in rock and metal, and as an ethnic voice in Mongolian singing. However, the production mechanism of vocal distortion is not yet clearly understood owing to limited research on the behavior of the larynx, which is the source of the distorted voice.
Objectives: This study used high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) to observe the larynx of professional singers with exceptional singing skills and determine the laryngeal dynamics in the voice production of various vocal distortions.
PLoS One
January 2025
Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Despite the wide use of zebra finches as an animal model to study vocal learning and production, little is known about impacts on their welfare caused by routine experimental manipulations such as changing their social context. Here we conduct a post-hoc analysis of singing rate, an indicator of positive welfare, to gain insights into stress caused by social isolation, a common experimental manipulation. We find that isolation in an unfamiliar environment reduces singing rate for several days, indicating the presence of an acute stressor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Voice
January 2025
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify voice instabilities across registration shifts produced by untrained female singers and describe them relative to changes in fundamental frequency, airflow, intensity, inferred adduction, and acoustic spectra.
Study Design: Multisignal descriptive study.
Methods: Five untrained female singers sang up to 30 repetitions of octave scales.
J Acoust Soc Am
January 2025
Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Many animal species are known to show individuality in their acoustic communication. This variation in individual male signatures can be decisive for female choice. Within the damselfishes, Dascyllus species are known for prolific sound production during the realization of movements associated with courtship (i.
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