For example, FoxP2 expression has been studied in reference to song learning. Previous studies have found that in young finches bession of FoxP2 in the striatal song control nucleus, Are X, prevents accurate song learning and tutor imitation [1] [2]. These studies also have implications for human speech. Individuals heterozygous for a point mutation in FOXP2 manifest a speech disorder [3]. Because of similar expression patterns between humans and songbirds, the zebra finch is used as a model to study FoxP2 expression and function[4].“Directed” singing refers to when a male is singing to a female usually for a courtship display. “Undirected” singing occurs when for example, a male sings when other males are present or is alone [5]. Studies have found that FoxP2 levels vary depending on the social context. When the birds were singing undirected song, there was a decrease in of FoxP2 expression in Area X. This downregulation was not observed and FoxP2 levels remained stable in birds singing directed song [6].

  1. ^ Haesler, Sebastian; Rochefort, Christelle; Georgi, Benjamin; Licznerski, Pawel; Osten, Pavel; Scharff, Constance (2007-12-04). "Incomplete and Inaccurate Vocal Imitation after Knockdown of FoxP2 in Songbird Basal Ganglia Nucleus Area X". PLOS Biology. 5 (12): e321. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0050321. ISSN 1545-7885. PMC 2100148. PMID 18052609.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  2. ^ Heston, Jonathan B.; White, Stephanie A. (2015-02-18). "Behavior-linked FoxP2 regulation enables zebra finch vocal learning". The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 35 (7): 2885–2894. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3715-14.2015. ISSN 1529-2401. PMC 4331621. PMID 25698728.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  3. ^ Lai, Cecilia S. L.; Fisher, Simon E.; Hurst, Jane A.; Vargha-Khadem, Faraneh; Monaco, Anthony P. (2001-10-04). "A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder". Nature. 413 (6855): 519–523. doi:10.1038/35097076. ISSN 0028-0836.
  4. ^ Teramitsu, Ikuko; Kudo, Lili C.; London, Sarah E.; Geschwind, Daniel H.; White, Stephanie A. (2004-03-31). "Parallel FoxP1 and FoxP2 Expression in Songbird and Human Brain Predicts Functional Interaction". Journal of Neuroscience. 24 (13): 3152–3163. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5589-03.2004. ISSN 0270-6474. PMID 15056695.
  5. ^ Jarvis, E. D.; Scharff, C.; Grossman, M. R.; Ramos, J. A.; Nottebohm, F. (1998-10-01). "For whom the bird sings: context-dependent gene expression". Neuron. 21 (4): 775–788. ISSN 0896-6273. PMID 9808464.
  6. ^ Teramitsu, Ikuko; White, Stephanie A. (2006-07-12). "FoxP2 Regulation during Undirected Singing in Adult Songbirds". The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 26 (28): 7390–7394. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1662-06.2006. ISSN 0270-6474. PMC 2683919. PMID 16837586.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link)