article_snippet: The Finnish researchers said several of down-regulate genes associated with neuro-degeneration, which is the progressive loss of the structure or function of neurons were ones which are responsible for song learning and singing in songbirds.
article_snippet: This suggests a common evolutionary background of sound perception across different species, The Finnish researchers said.
article_snippet: Study leader Doctor Irma Jarvela, of Helsinki University, said: 'The up-regulation of several genes that are known to be responsible for song learning and singing in songbirds suggest a shared evolutionary background of sound perception between vocalizing birds and humans.'