Neural mechanisms of vocal communication in marmosets and humans
Neural mechanisms of vocal communication in marmosets and humans
Vocal communication is fundamental to our daily interactions. It allows us to convey messages, maintain relationships, and coordinate actions. Even the simplest conversations involve rapid exchanges, precise timing, and continual adaptation to social context. These behaviors may appear effortless, but they rely on complex and dynamic neural processes. The central question of our research is how the brain controls vocal behavior during social interaction, a process that requires a combination of neural functions, such as motor control, auditory processing, social cognition, and executive functions.
Our lab investigates the behavioral and neural principles that support flexible, context-dependent vocal communication through marmoset vocalizations and human speech.
Zhao Lab @ University of Pittsburgh