Evaluating Alpha-Synuclein Proteinopathy and Consequences for Birdsong in Zebra Finch Basal Ganglia Area X

Alpha-synuclein is a synaptic protein important for cell communication and protein degradation processes. Abnormal increases in alpha-synuclein protein and changes in its structure are detected in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. In a prior publication, we showed that an adeno-associated virus (AAV) driving expression of the human alpha-synuclein gene (hSNCA) in a dedicated vocal brain region (basal ganglia Area X) in the adult male zebra finch results in increased alpha-synuclein protein levels and Parkinsonian-like song changes. (Vocal changes in a zebra finch model of Parkinson’s disease characterized by alpha-synuclein overexpression in the song-dedicated anterior forebrain pathway, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265604; University of Arizona ReData link: https://doi.org/10.25422/azu.data.16619782).We extend upon this work in the present study by characterizing the cellular distribution and protein pathology of alpha-synuclein in finch vocal control brain regions Area X and lMAN that underlie the Parkinsonian-like song changes.<br><br><br><br><i>For inquiries regarding the contents of this dataset, please contact the Corresponding Author listed in the README.txt file. Administrative inquiries (e.g., removal requests, trouble downloading, etc.) can be directed to [e-mail]</i>