Synchronization Analysis Of Neural Signals In Collaborative Learning Of Pigeons

The research on the synchronization of neural activity between multiple brains has gradually become an area of concern for researchers in recent years.The neural coding mechanism of multi-brain neural activity synchronization and the evolution process of inter-brain network connection in the process of synchronous behavior formation need to be further clarified.In this thesis,the pigeon is selected as the model animal,and an experimental paradigm that uses visual cues to induce collaborative behavior among three pigeons is designed.As the same time,the behavioral data at different training stages and the neural signals of the nidopallium caudolaterale(NCL)associated with the cognition are collected and recorded simultaneously.Then,the feature frequency band associated with collaborative behavior tasks is determined,and based on the results of behavioral data analysis,the synchronicity of the neural activity among the pigeon brain during the collaborative training is studied from the point of view of functional and effective connectivity analysis.The main work accomplished is summarized as follows:(1)The experimental paradigm based on LED light stimulation and food-induced collaborative learning for pigeons to learn to see the light pecking key was designed,and the related behavioral training was carried out and the corresponding neural signals and behavioral data were collected and recorded simultaneously.The improved independent component algorithm and the method of removing common reference were used to remove the 50 Hz power frequency interference and the motion artifact produced by the pigeon pecks the key respectively.(2)The feature frequency band of task-related brain activity was determined.By combining wavelet transform and functional connection analysis with complex network,the frequency bands of NCL brain area sensing light stimulation and encoding the intention of pecking key were determined in 10~30Hz and 20~40Hz respectively.(3)The behavioral data of three pigeons during collaborative training were statistically analyzed.Taking the maximum time difference of pecking key between pigeons as a measure,the formation process of behavior synchronization of pigeon population’s pecking behavior was analyzed,and pigeons that were successfully trained could achieve synchronization of the behavior of pecking key within the time specified in the experiment.(4)The synchronicity of the neural activity between the pigeon’s brain during collaborative training was investigated.First of all,from the point of view of functional connectivity,the functional connectivity characteristics of all channels signals of pigeons in different stages and different states were analyzed,and it is found that only in the behavioral synchronization stage,the functional connectivity of pigeon itself and between pigeons in task state was significantly higher than that in baseline state.Then,combined with the improved algorithm of effective connectivity analysis,the directional connectivity characteristics of signals between different pigeon individuals were analyzed,and it was found that there was mutual influence between pigeon brains under the synchronization of behavior.The results of the above studies show that along with the enhancement of behavioral synchronization between pigeons,the neural activity between the brains of pigeons will also produce obvious synchronization.