The Role of Sleep in Song Learning Processes in Songbird
Résumé
Songbirds are a unique model to study language development in humans. Birdsong, as human language, is acquired through complex vocal learning processes during which individuals learn to modify their vocalizations, song in songbirds and language in humans, by imitating surrounding individuals. Both birdsong and human speech rely on a complex sensorimotor integration during which the auditory feedback provided by the perception of one’s own vocalizations produced is monitored and contrasted to the memorization of vocal sounds to adapt the vocal motor commands. Birdsong is under the control of a set of dedicated brain areas and researches in the last decades have identified some neurobiological mechanisms involved during song learning and song production. As such, songbirds offer a unique opportunity to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying their singing behavior and better understand the role of sleep in learning, especially in vocal learning.