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Research on Songbirds Offers Insights into Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroscientists at the University of Arizona have discovered that the aging process significantly modifies gene expression related to song production in songbirds. This research holds potential implications for diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative diseases in humans, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, which often impair vocal capabilities in their initial stages.
The findings, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, reveal that the gene networks within the birds’ singing brain regions undergo significant transformations as the birds age. Central to these networks are “hub genes,” which regulate the activities of multiple associated genes. Understanding these hub genes could play a pivotal role in devising strategies to combat age-related conditions.
“Developing a drug that targets a specific hub gene could potentially influence a multitude of connected genes, leading to broader therapeutic effects,” explained Charles Higgins, the principal investigator and an associate professor in both the Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as a member of the BIO5 Institute. “This could pave the way for treatments aimed at slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, for instance.”
This study adds to a growing body of research exploring the connection between vocalization and the aging process. Julie E. Miller, the senior author and also an associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience, has spent years examining these relationships through the study of zebra finch songbirds.
“Interestingly, despite the genetic shifts associated with aging, the bird continues to produce song behavior, hinting at adaptive mechanisms in the brain,” said Miller, who also holds an appointment in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and is affiliated with the BIO5 Institute. “Such resilience could provide insights into coping strategies for humans.”
Native to Australia, zebra finches possess brain structures similar to those of humans, particularly in the basal ganglia, which governs motor functions including speech, according to Miller. Additionally, these birds learn their songs by imitating their parents and peers, mirroring the process by which humans acquire language.
Of particular interest to researchers is how birdsong serves as a quantifiable indicator for neurological changes, enabling scientists to analyze variations in pitch, volume, and other parameters as the birds age.
In the recent study, Miller and her team recorded the songs of 36 birds across various age groups and examined how the genes associated with singing shifted as the birds matured.
The investigators observed that younger birds exhibited a complex network of gene activity, which subsequently narrowed down to a few singular genes with aging.
Miller expressed her aspiration for future studies to enhance the understanding of how hub genes change throughout the lifespan of finches. “The ultimate aim is to determine the significance of these hub genes, their function in song production, and whether manipulating their expression could mitigate the aging process affecting our vocal communication,” she remarked.
Collaborators on this research included Sri Harsha Vishwanath, a graduate research associate in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences; Fiona McCarthy, a professor of animal and comparative biomedical sciences; Michelle Gordon, a former undergraduate student from Miller’s lab; and Beate Peter, an associate professor at Arizona State University.
The study received funding from the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health under Award Nos. P30AG019610 and P30AG072980 to the Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, along with a sub-award to J.E. Miller. Additional support was provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the state of Arizona through ADHS Grant No. CTR057001.
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