Birdsong is a model system for the production of learned, serially ordered motor movements, such as playing a musical instrument or riding a bicycle. To this end, the neural mechanisms underlying birdsong have been studied in great depth, and many tools have been developed for analyzing the spectral and temporal structure of song. In this dissertation, I develop mathematical neural network models to explain how the nuclei in the song system interact to produce song. These models are constrained by the structural connectivity of the song system, the signaling properties of individual neurons and circuits, and circuit-breaking behavioral studies. Chapter 1 provides an overview of songbirds as a model system for speech production, outlines the structure of song, and describes the structure and function of the song system. Chapter 2 describes the neurophysiology and mathematical models of a premotor nucleus, called HVC (proper name), that is essential for song learning and production. In Chapter 3, I develop the neural network model for song production and use it to explain the effects of partial lesions of HVC on song. Furthermore, I use the model to make predictions about the behavioral effects of these lesions and reanalyze the data, validating those predictions. Finally, in Chapter 4 I develop a simplified version of the model that sacrifices spiking dynamics of neurons while maintaining the essential higher-level features of the model. I use this model to study interhemispheric synchronization and the effects of unilateral perturbations of HVC on song. The model captures the effects of these perturbations, particularly unilateral temperature manipulation and electrical stimulation of HVC, and makes predictions about the circuit-level effects of these perturbations. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Mathematics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester 2018. / February 26, 2018. / Birdsong, Bursting, Computational Modeling, Neural Networks, Zebra Finch / Includes bibliographical references. / Richard Bertram, Professor Directing Dissertation; Paul Q. Trombley, University Representative; Nicholas G. Cogan, Committee Member; Richard L. Hyson, Committee Member; Frank Johnson, Committee Member; Theodore Vo, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_654721 |
| Contributors | Galvis, Daniel Eduardo (author), Bertram, R. (professor directing dissertation), Trombley, Paul Q. (university representative), Cogan, Nicholas G. (committee member), Hyson, Richard Lee (committee member), Johnson, Frank (committee member), Vo, Theodore (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Mathematics (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, doctoral thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (133 pages), computer, application/pdf |
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