John D Newman - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by John D Newman

Research paper thumbnail of Responses to natural and synthetic phee calls by common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

American Journal of Primatology, 1994

... Captive adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) produce whistle-like “phee” calls in two ... more ... Captive adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) produce whistle-like “phee” calls in two contexts ... the same colony room, and within auditory, olfactory, and possibly visual contact of ... high-pitched notes [Epple, 19681; frequency-modulated calls [Pook, 19771 Scan: look up ...

Research paper thumbnail of Neural circuits underlying crying and cry responding in mammals

Behavioural Brain Research, Sep 1, 2007

Crying is a universal vocalization in human infants, as well as in the infants of other mammals. ... more Crying is a universal vocalization in human infants, as well as in the infants of other mammals. Little is known about the neural structures underlying cry production, or the circuitry that mediates a caregiver's response to cry sounds. In this review, the specific structures known or suspected to be involved in this circuit are identified, along with neurochemical systems and hormones for which evidence suggests a role in responding to infants and infant cries. In addition, evidence that crying elicits parental responses in different mammals is presented. An argument is made for including 'crying' as a functional category in the vocal repertoire of all mammalian infants (and the adults of some species). The prevailing neural model for crying production considers forebrain structures to be dispensable. However, evidence for the anterior cingulate gyrus in cry production, and this structure along with the amygdala and some other forebrain areas in responding to cries is presented.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Learning in Chuck Call Recognition by Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri Sciureus)

Behaviour, 2000

This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel... more This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys. We experimentally exposed subjects of four different age classes, under controlled conditions, to the chuck calls of genetically unrelated individuals of different social af nities. Using playback experimentation, we tested the hypothesis that subjects at different developmental stages respond preferentially to the chuck calls of geneticallyunrelated familiar social group companions when compared to those of unfamiliar individualsfrom outside of the social group. Results demonstrated that adults vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of familiar social group members. Subadults behaviorally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates within their social groups. Juveniles behaviorally responded more strongly to the playback of chuck calls arising from individuals within their colony when compared to the playback of 'silence.' Infants did not behaviorally or vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates or other social group members. These results demonstrate that learning plays a role in chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys and may suggest that infants gradually learn to acoustically recognize social companions within their group.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Learning in Chuck Call Recognition by Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri Sciureus)

Behaviour, 2000

This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel... more This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys. We experimentally exposed subjects of four different age classes, under controlled conditions, to the chuck calls of genetically unrelated individuals of different social af nities. Using playback experimentation, we tested the hypothesis that subjects at different developmental stages respond preferentially to the chuck calls of geneticallyunrelated familiar social group companions when compared to those of unfamiliar individualsfrom outside of the social group. Results demonstrated that adults vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of familiar social group members. Subadults behaviorally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates within their social groups. Juveniles behaviorally responded more strongly to the playback of chuck calls arising from individuals within their colony when compared to the playback of 'silence.' Infants did not behaviorally or vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates or other social group members. These results demonstrate that learning plays a role in chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys and may suggest that infants gradually learn to acoustically recognize social companions within their group.

Research paper thumbnail of A combined histological and MRI brain atlas of the common marmoset monkey, Callithrix jacchus

Brain Research Reviews, 2009

The common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, is of growing importance for research in neuroscience an... more The common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, is of growing importance for research in neuroscience and related fields. In the present work, we describe a combined histological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atlas constructed from the brains of two adult female marmosets. Histological sections were processed from Nissl staining and digitized to produce an atlas in a large format that facilitates visualization of structures with significant detail. Naming of identifiable brain structures was performed utilizing current terminology. The histological sections and a simplified schematic atlas are available online at http://udn.nichd.nih.gov/brainatlas_home.html.

Research paper thumbnail of Feasibility of using fMRI to study mothers responding to infant cries

Depression and Anxiety, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of A potential role for thalamocingulate circuitry in human maternal behavior

Biological Psychiatry, 2002

Background: Little is known about the regional brain basis of human maternal behavior. To underst... more Background: Little is known about the regional brain basis of human maternal behavior. To understand this better, we have been examining brain activity in mothers listening to infant cries. Methods: We measured functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain activity in healthy, breastfeeding first-time mothers with young infants while they listened to infant cries, white noise control sounds, and a rest condition. Based on the thalamocingulate theory of maternal behavior and pilot work, we hypothesized that the cingulate, medial thalamus, medial prefrontal cortex, and right orbitofrontal cortex would display more activity with infant cries than with white noise (comparison 1) and would uniquely activate with the cries, meaning that these regions would display activity with cry minus rest but not with white noise minus rest (comparison 2). Results: In hypothesized regions, the group displayed more activity in the medial thalamus, medial prefrontal and right orbitofrontal cortices with both comparisons. The anterior and posterior cingulate cortex displayed more activity only with comparison 1. In non-hypothesized brain regions, several other structures thought important in rodent maternal behavior displayed activity with both comparisons including the midbrain, hypothalamus, dorsal and ventral striatum, and vicinity of the lateral septal region. Conclusions: Our results partially support our hypotheses and are generally consistent with neuroanatomical studies of rodent maternal behavior.

Research paper thumbnail of The primate isolation call and the evolution and physiological control of human speech

Language Origin: A Multidisciplinary Approach

The search for the common roots of the vocalizations of humans and nonhuman primates may come ini... more The search for the common roots of the vocalizations of humans and nonhuman primates may come initially through the study of the sounds of infants. Emotional expression through sound is very similar in the infants of all primates, including humans. This has been most thoroughly documented for the distress sounds of the infant separated from its caregiver (‘isolation call’). While the isolation calls (IC) of different primate species share overall acoustic characteristics (each expiratory unit consisting of a gradually modulated tone with little noise and frequency modulation), there are more detailed accoustic differences that reliably identify the species. With maturation, the IC becomes differentiated to subserve commumicative functions besides signalling separation distress. The production mechanisms of the IC of human and nonhuman primates may also share a common origin. The anterior cingulate gyrus, part of the limbic forebrain, is essential for normal production of the IC in adult primates, as well as for normal speech in adult humans. The widely accepted homology between the cry of the human neonate and the IC of other mammals suggests that the neural substrate mediating this vocal behavior may have had a conservative evolutionary history. A plausible evolutionary scenario by which the primate IC became linked to human speech may come from the evidence for functional differentiation, wherein the infant IC develops into an array of sounds used in group communication, mediated by the increased cognitive capacity of early hominids.

Research paper thumbnail of Responses to natural and synthetic phee calls by common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

American Journal of Primatology, 1994

... Captive adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) produce whistle-like “phee” calls in two ... more ... Captive adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) produce whistle-like “phee” calls in two contexts ... the same colony room, and within auditory, olfactory, and possibly visual contact of ... high-pitched notes [Epple, 19681; frequency-modulated calls [Pook, 19771 Scan: look up ...

Research paper thumbnail of Neural circuits underlying crying and cry responding in mammals

Behavioural Brain Research, Sep 1, 2007

Crying is a universal vocalization in human infants, as well as in the infants of other mammals. ... more Crying is a universal vocalization in human infants, as well as in the infants of other mammals. Little is known about the neural structures underlying cry production, or the circuitry that mediates a caregiver's response to cry sounds. In this review, the specific structures known or suspected to be involved in this circuit are identified, along with neurochemical systems and hormones for which evidence suggests a role in responding to infants and infant cries. In addition, evidence that crying elicits parental responses in different mammals is presented. An argument is made for including 'crying' as a functional category in the vocal repertoire of all mammalian infants (and the adults of some species). The prevailing neural model for crying production considers forebrain structures to be dispensable. However, evidence for the anterior cingulate gyrus in cry production, and this structure along with the amygdala and some other forebrain areas in responding to cries is presented.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Learning in Chuck Call Recognition by Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri Sciureus)

Behaviour, 2000

This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel... more This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys. We experimentally exposed subjects of four different age classes, under controlled conditions, to the chuck calls of genetically unrelated individuals of different social af nities. Using playback experimentation, we tested the hypothesis that subjects at different developmental stages respond preferentially to the chuck calls of geneticallyunrelated familiar social group companions when compared to those of unfamiliar individualsfrom outside of the social group. Results demonstrated that adults vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of familiar social group members. Subadults behaviorally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates within their social groups. Juveniles behaviorally responded more strongly to the playback of chuck calls arising from individuals within their colony when compared to the playback of 'silence.' Infants did not behaviorally or vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates or other social group members. These results demonstrate that learning plays a role in chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys and may suggest that infants gradually learn to acoustically recognize social companions within their group.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Learning in Chuck Call Recognition by Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri Sciureus)

Behaviour, 2000

This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel... more This study explored the role of learning in the development of chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys. We experimentally exposed subjects of four different age classes, under controlled conditions, to the chuck calls of genetically unrelated individuals of different social af nities. Using playback experimentation, we tested the hypothesis that subjects at different developmental stages respond preferentially to the chuck calls of geneticallyunrelated familiar social group companions when compared to those of unfamiliar individualsfrom outside of the social group. Results demonstrated that adults vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of familiar social group members. Subadults behaviorally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates within their social groups. Juveniles behaviorally responded more strongly to the playback of chuck calls arising from individuals within their colony when compared to the playback of 'silence.' Infants did not behaviorally or vocally respond preferentially to the chuck calls of close social associates or other social group members. These results demonstrate that learning plays a role in chuck call recognition in squirrel monkeys and may suggest that infants gradually learn to acoustically recognize social companions within their group.

Research paper thumbnail of A combined histological and MRI brain atlas of the common marmoset monkey, Callithrix jacchus

Brain Research Reviews, 2009

The common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, is of growing importance for research in neuroscience an... more The common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, is of growing importance for research in neuroscience and related fields. In the present work, we describe a combined histological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atlas constructed from the brains of two adult female marmosets. Histological sections were processed from Nissl staining and digitized to produce an atlas in a large format that facilitates visualization of structures with significant detail. Naming of identifiable brain structures was performed utilizing current terminology. The histological sections and a simplified schematic atlas are available online at http://udn.nichd.nih.gov/brainatlas_home.html.

Research paper thumbnail of Feasibility of using fMRI to study mothers responding to infant cries

Depression and Anxiety, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of A potential role for thalamocingulate circuitry in human maternal behavior

Biological Psychiatry, 2002

Background: Little is known about the regional brain basis of human maternal behavior. To underst... more Background: Little is known about the regional brain basis of human maternal behavior. To understand this better, we have been examining brain activity in mothers listening to infant cries. Methods: We measured functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain activity in healthy, breastfeeding first-time mothers with young infants while they listened to infant cries, white noise control sounds, and a rest condition. Based on the thalamocingulate theory of maternal behavior and pilot work, we hypothesized that the cingulate, medial thalamus, medial prefrontal cortex, and right orbitofrontal cortex would display more activity with infant cries than with white noise (comparison 1) and would uniquely activate with the cries, meaning that these regions would display activity with cry minus rest but not with white noise minus rest (comparison 2). Results: In hypothesized regions, the group displayed more activity in the medial thalamus, medial prefrontal and right orbitofrontal cortices with both comparisons. The anterior and posterior cingulate cortex displayed more activity only with comparison 1. In non-hypothesized brain regions, several other structures thought important in rodent maternal behavior displayed activity with both comparisons including the midbrain, hypothalamus, dorsal and ventral striatum, and vicinity of the lateral septal region. Conclusions: Our results partially support our hypotheses and are generally consistent with neuroanatomical studies of rodent maternal behavior.

Research paper thumbnail of The primate isolation call and the evolution and physiological control of human speech

Language Origin: A Multidisciplinary Approach

The search for the common roots of the vocalizations of humans and nonhuman primates may come ini... more The search for the common roots of the vocalizations of humans and nonhuman primates may come initially through the study of the sounds of infants. Emotional expression through sound is very similar in the infants of all primates, including humans. This has been most thoroughly documented for the distress sounds of the infant separated from its caregiver (‘isolation call’). While the isolation calls (IC) of different primate species share overall acoustic characteristics (each expiratory unit consisting of a gradually modulated tone with little noise and frequency modulation), there are more detailed accoustic differences that reliably identify the species. With maturation, the IC becomes differentiated to subserve commumicative functions besides signalling separation distress. The production mechanisms of the IC of human and nonhuman primates may also share a common origin. The anterior cingulate gyrus, part of the limbic forebrain, is essential for normal production of the IC in adult primates, as well as for normal speech in adult humans. The widely accepted homology between the cry of the human neonate and the IC of other mammals suggests that the neural substrate mediating this vocal behavior may have had a conservative evolutionary history. A plausible evolutionary scenario by which the primate IC became linked to human speech may come from the evidence for functional differentiation, wherein the infant IC develops into an array of sounds used in group communication, mediated by the increased cognitive capacity of early hominids.