Data from: Timing of perineuronal nets development in the zebra finch song control system correlates with developmental song learning

The appearance of perineuronal nets (PNN) represents one of the mechanisms that contribute to the closing of sensitive periods for neural plasticity. This relationship has mostly been studied in the ocular dominance model in rodents. Previous studies also indicated that PNN might control neural plasticity in the song control system (SCS) of songbirds. To further elucidate this relationship, we quantified PNN expression and their localization around parvalbumin interneurons at key time-points during ontogeny in both male and female zebra finches and correlated these data with the well-described development of song in this species. We also extended these analyses to the auditory system. The development of PNN during ontogeny correlated with song crystallization although the timing of PNN appearance in the four main telencephalic song control nuclei slightly varied between nuclei in agreement with the established role these nuclei play during song learning. Our data also indicate that very few PNN develop in the secondary auditory forebrain areas even in adult birds, which may allow constant adaptation to a changing acoustic environment by allowing synaptic reorganization during adulthood.

神经元周围网络（perineuronal nets, PNN）的出现，是促成神经可塑性关键敏感期闭合的核心机制之一。该关联的相关研究大多基于啮齿类动物的眼优势模型开展。既往研究亦指出，PNN或可调控鸣禽鸣唱控制系统（song control system, SCS）内的神经可塑性。为进一步阐明二者间的关联，我们对雌雄斑胸草雀个体发育关键时间节点中，小白蛋白中间神经元（parvalbumin interneurons）周围的PNN表达水平与定位进行了定量分析，并将所得数据与该物种已被充分阐释的鸣曲发育进程进行了相关性关联。同时，我们还将此类分析拓展至听觉系统。尽管端脑内4个主要鸣唱控制核团的PNN出现时序在核团间存在细微差异，但个体发育过程中PNN的发育与鸣曲固化呈现显著相关性，这与各核团在鸣曲学习阶段既定的功能角色完全一致。本研究数据还显示，即便在成年鸣禽的次级听觉前脑区域，也几乎不会形成PNN，这或可通过允许成年阶段发生突触重组，使鸣禽能够持续适应动态变化的声学环境。