Topic: phrase transitions

In complex behaviors like speech and dance, the serial order of vocal syllables and motor gestures is governed by syntax rules. Canary song is a variable sequential behavior composed of subsequences of syllable repeats, called phrases. These phrases are flexibly ordered to form a large repertoire of songs, following long-range syntax rules, which relate the outcome of a phrase transition to the identity and order of preceding phrases. Projection neurons (PNs) in the canary premotor brain nucleus HVC show syllable-locked activity patterns which indicate their part in syllable-driving premotor '