idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

Grafik: idw-Logo
Science Video Project
idw-Abo

idw-News App:

AppStore

Google Play Store



Instance:
Share on: 
09/02/2024 14:27

Teaching Old Birds New Tricks: Zebra Finches Defy Age-Related Learning Limits

Dr. Sabine Spehn Kommunikation (PR)
Max-Planck-Institut für biologische Intelligenz

    We all know the adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." As we age, our ability to learn new skills, like mastering a foreign language or picking up a musical instrument, seems to fade. The culprit? A decline in brain plasticity—the brain's capacity to rewire itself and adapt to new challenges. But what if we could rewind the clock on this age-related decline? A new study led by Daniela Vallentin at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence offers a tantalizing glimpse into this possibility.

    The Feathered Fountain of Youth

    Vallentin's team focused on zebra finches, songbirds known for their elaborate vocalizations. Like many animals, zebra finches have a critical period for song learning, within their first 90 days of life. After this window closes, their brains become less flexible, and inhibitory neurons put the brakes on further learning. The researchers wondered: Could they lift this neural blockade and restore the birds' youthful learning ability? Using cutting-edge techniques like optogenetics, they precisely switched off these inhibitory neurons in adult zebra finches. The results were remarkable. The birds, once thought to be stuck with their existing repertoire, began to add new elements to their songs. "We observed an expansion of the adult animals' vocal repertoire that was previously thought impossible," says Fabian Heim, the study's lead author.

    Beyond Birdsong: Implications for Human Aging

    This discovery extends far beyond the realm of birdsong. It suggests that the brain's capacity for learning may be far more resilient than previously thought. Similar learning windows exist in humans, affecting everything from language acquisition to social development. If scientists can identify and manipulate the mechanisms that control these critical periods, it could open doors to new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and injuries that impair learning. Imagine a future where the adage about old dogs and new tricks is finally retired.


    Contact for scientific information:

    Dr. Daniela Vallentin
    Lise Meitner Research Group Leader
    Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
    E-Mail: daniela.vallentin@bi.mpg.de


    Original publication:

    Disinhibition enables vocal repertoire expansion after a critical period;
    Fabian Heim, Ezequiel Mendoza, Avani Koparkar and Daniela Vallentin;
    Nature Communications, online August, 31 2024
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51818-4


    More information:

    https://www.bi.mpg.de/vallentin - Group website


    Images

    Reactivate lost learning abilities: Study shows how old zebra finches can learn new songs again
    Reactivate lost learning abilities: Study shows how old zebra finches can learn new songs again

    © MPI for Biological Intelligence / Julia Kuhl


    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists, Scientists and scholars, Students, Teachers and pupils, all interested persons
    Biology
    transregional, national
    Research results, Scientific Publications
    English


     

    Reactivate lost learning abilities: Study shows how old zebra finches can learn new songs again


    For download

    x

    Help

    Search / advanced search of the idw archives
    Combination of search terms

    You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.

    Brackets

    You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).

    Phrases

    Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.

    Selection criteria

    You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).

    If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).