Application and Research Progress of Avian Models in Neuroscience

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Background

Over recent decades, different types of animal models, from arthropods to primates, have been applied to neuroscience research, making irreplaceable contributions to reveal the neural basis of various behaviors. Aves is one of the most prosperous amniotes (totaling over 10,000 species) globally, which has evolved in parallel with mammals. Although avian and mammalian brains are constructed in very different ways, the sensory information processing, cognition, behavior, and related neural control pathways of some bird species are highly similar to those of mammals, including primates and even humans. For example, the brains of birds and mammals have conserved visual and auditory pathways; corvids and parrots have some advanced cognitive abilities that are highly comparable to primates; songbirds have homologous vocal learning-related pathways to humans and song-learning behavior similar to human language learning.

Decades of research have shown that birds can exhibit very complex cognitive abilities, including visual discrimination, orientation and navigation, food storage, vocal learning and communication, complex social interaction, and problem-solving abilities, some of which are highly similar to human behaviors that are unmatched by other animal models. The advantages of avian models not only can reveal the neural basis of behaviors more extensively but also can provide more valuable insights into our own behaviors than we thought. At the same time, it can greatly promote our understanding of the evolution of cognitive function. With the support of the advanced techniques of electrophysiology, histology, pharmacology, optogenetics, molecular biology, and neuroimaging, significant progress has been made in revealing the neural basis of some avian behaviors. However, neurobiological data obtained from avian models are still limited, compared with other animal models, especially mammalian models. The lack of knowledge about the relevant neural pathway connectivity and genetic information in the brains of many birds also limits the application of avian models in neuroscience.

The Research Topic focuses on the new progress of avian models in neuroscience to further draw the attention of neuroscientists to avian models. Original Research and Review papers related to (but not limited to) the following are welcome:
• Studies on the anatomy, neuron types, microcircuits, and connection patterns of behavior (e.g., cognition, sociality, learning, and vocal communication)-related neural pathways in birds;
• Evolutionary and genetic basis of neural networks in avian models, especially those divergent and convergent pathways between birds and mammals;
• Neural regulation of avian behaviors and their underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Keywords: bird, avian models, avian behaviors, cognition, sociality, learning and memory, vocal communication, neural basis, evolution, homology

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