Biology subjects

Liao, D. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Liao, D. A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Exploring Neural Dynamics in the Auditory Telencephalon of Crows using Functional Ultrasound Imaging

Crows, known for advanced cognitive abilities and vocal communication, rely on intricate auditory systems. While the neuroanatomy of corvid auditory pathways is partially explored, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are largely unknown. This study used functional ultrasound imaging (fUSi) to investigate sound-induced cerebral blood volume (CBV) changes in the field L complex of the crows auditory telencephalon, a functional analogue to the mammalian auditory cortex. FUSi revealed frequency-specific CBV responses, showing a tonotopic organization within the field L complex, with low frequencies in the posterior-dorsal region and high frequencies in the anterior-ventral region, similar to neuronal patterns reported in other songbirds. The responses were more robust when the crows were awake compared to when they were anesthetized. Machine learning analyses showed fUSi signals could be used to classify sound types accurately. Shorter stimuli reliably triggered transient CBV increases, while longer sounds resulted in variable responses, including negative deflections. This variability in CBV responses suggests a delineation of subregions within the field L complex with the central region (L2) as the primary processing hub and outer regions (L1, L3) integrating auditory information. These findings highlight the potential of fUSi for providing high-resolution insights into functional systems in corvids, enabling future exploration of task-related cognitive dynamics.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Active neural coordination of motor behaviors with internal states

The brain continuously coordinates skeletomuscular movements with internal physiological states like arousal, but how is this coordination achieved? One possibility is that brain simply reacts to changes in external and/or internal signals. Another possibility is that it is actively coordinating both external and internal activities. We used functional ultrasound imaging to capture a large medial section of the brain, including multiple cortical and subcortical areas, in marmoset monkeys while monitoring their spontaneous movements and cardiac activity. By analyzing the causal ordering of these different time-series, we found that information flowing from the brain to movements and heart rate fluctuations were significantly greater than in the opposite direction. The brain areas involved in this external versus internal coordination were spatially distinct but also extensively interconnected. Temporally, the brain alternated between network states for this regulation. These findings suggest that the brains dynamics actively and efficiently coordinate motor behavior with internal physiology.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Social-vocal brain networks in a non-human primate

During social interactions, individuals influence each other to coordinate their actions. Vocal communication is an exceptionally efficient way to exert such influence. Where and how social interactions are dynamically modulated in the brain is unknown. We used functional ultrasound imaging in marmoset monkeys - a highly vocal species - to investigate the dynamics of medial social brain areas in vocal perception, production, and audio-vocal interaction. We found that the activity of a distributed network of subcortical and cortical regions distinguishes calls associated with different social contexts. This same brain network showed different dynamics during externally and internally driven vocalizations. These findings suggest the existence of a social-vocal brain network in medial cortical and subcortical areas that is fundamental in social communication. One Sentence SummaryA network of medial subcortical and cortical brain areas gate social communication in primates.

neuroscience↗