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.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]