Pii: S0301-0082(98)00100-2

ÐThe present review provides an overview of the distribution of dopaminergic ®bers and dopaminoceptive elements within the avian telencephalon, the possible interactions of dopamine (DA) with other biochemically identi®ed systems as revealed by immunocytochemistry, and the involvement of DA in behavioral processes in birds. Primary sensory structures are largely devoid of dopaminergic ®bers, DA receptors and the D1-related phosphoprotein DARPP-32, while all these dopaminergic markers gradually increase in density from the secondary sensory to the multimodal association and the limbic and motor output areas. Structures of the avian basal ganglia are most densely innervated but, in contrast to mammals, show a higher D2 than D1 receptor density. In most of the remaining telencephalon D1 receptors clearly outnumber D2 receptors. Dopaminergic ®bers in the avian telencephalon often show a peculiar arrangement where ®bers coil around the somata and proximal dendrites of neurons like baskets, probably providing them with a massive dopaminergic input. Basket-like innervation of DARPP-32-positive neurons seems to be most prominent in the multimodal association areas. Taken together, these anatomical ®ndings indicate a speci®c role of DA in higher order learning and sensory-motor processes, while primary sensory processes are less a€ected. This conclusion is supported by behavioral ®ndings which show that in birds, as in mammals, DA is speci®cally involved in sensorymotor integration, attention and arousal, learning and working memory. Thus, despite considerable di€erences in the anatomical organization of the avian and mammalian forebrain, the organization of the dopaminergic system and its behavioral functions are very similar in birds and mammals. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved