Birdsongs Can Shed Light On Autism, Speech

Singing-related genes may provide clues on human disorders.
Inside Science Television

Inside Science Buzzwords:

  1. Zebra finch - A songbird with many genes that control how it hears and sings.
  2. Area X - A part of the the zebra finch's brain responsible for learning bird songs.
  3. FoxP2 - A protein found on the human chromosome; mutations of the gene creating this protein can cause speech and language problems.
  4. Reelin - A protein that is important to early brain development as well as the functioning of the adult brain.