In vivo imaging in transgenic songbirds reveals superdiffusive neuron migration in the adult brain

Neuron migration is a key phase of neurogenesis, critical for the assembly and function of neuronal circuits. In songbirds, this process continues throughout life, but how these newborn neurons disperse through the adult brain is unclear. We address this question using in vivo two-photon imaging in transgenic zebra finches that express GFP in young neurons and other cell types. In juvenile and adult birds, migratory cells are present at a high density, travel in all directions, and make frequent course changes. Notably, these dynamic migration patterns are well fit by a superdiffusive model. Simulations reveal that these superdiffusive dynamics are sufficient to disperse new neurons throughout the song nucleus HVC. These results suggest that superdiffusive migration may underlie the formation and maintenance of nuclear brain structures in the postnatal brain and indicate that transgenic songbirds are a useful resource for future studies into the mechanisms of adult neurogenesis. [Display omitted] •Transgenic songbirds express GFP in a neurogenic lineage•GFP expression is strong and sparse enough to track single cells in vivo•Adult neuron migration is well fit by a superdiffusive model•Superdiffusive migration is sufficient to populate song nucleus HVC in simulation Shvedov et al. employ two-photon microscopy to image the migration of hundreds of immature neurons in the brains of transgenic zebra finches. In the adult brain, this migration is widespread, with cells dispersing in all directions, and can be described mathematically as a superdiffusive process.