Scientists from the United States have established that different types of vocalizations emitted by mice are associated with the activation of distinct groups of neurons in the retroambiginal nucleus. This area belongs to the premotor region of the medulla oblongata.
It was found that during ultrasonic vocalizations, neurons distributed throughout the entire length of this nucleus are activated. At the same time, during audible squeaks, activity is observed predominantly in the posterior parts of the nucleus.
Although twenty to fifty percent of cells are activated during both types of vocalizations, most of the sets of involved neurons do not share common elements. The results of this study were presented in the scientific journal eNeuro.