Circuit analysis of experience-dependent plasticity in the developing rat barrel cortex

Neuron. 2003 Apr 24;38(2):277-89. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(03)00152-1.

Abstract

Sensory deprivation during a critical period reduces spine motility and disrupts receptive field structure of layer 2/3 neurons in rat barrel cortex. To determine the locus of plasticity, we used laser scanning photostimulation, allowing us to rapidly map intracortical synaptic connectivity in brain slices. Layer 2/3 neurons differed in their spatial distributions of presynaptic partners: neurons directly above barrels received, on average, significantly more layer 4 input than those above the septa separating barrels. Complementary connectivity was found in deprived cortex: neurons above septa were now strongly coupled to septal regions, while connectivity between barrel regions and layer 2/3 was reduced. These results reveal competitive interactions between barrel and septal circuits in the establishment of precise intracortical circuits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Afferent Pathways / physiology
  • Animals
  • Brain Mapping
  • Glutamates / pharmacology
  • Glutamates / radiation effects
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lasers
  • Nerve Net / cytology
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Photic Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sensory Deprivation / physiology
  • Somatosensory Cortex / anatomy & histology*
  • Somatosensory Cortex / drug effects
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Vibrissae / innervation
  • Vibrissae / physiology

Substances

  • Glutamates