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Related Experiment Videos

Critical periods for experience-dependent synaptic scaling in visual cortex.

Niraj S Desai1, Robert H Cudmore, Sacha B Nelson

  • 1Department of Biology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, MS 008, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, USA.

Nature Neuroscience
|June 25, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Synaptic scaling stabilizes neuronal firing rates by adjusting synaptic strength. This study shows synaptic scaling occurs in the rodent visual cortex during development and in response to sensory experience.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity
  • Cortical Development

Background:

  • Experience-dependent plasticity refines central nervous system circuits.
  • Non-Hebbian synaptic plasticity, or synaptic scaling, stabilizes neuronal firing rates.
  • This mechanism was previously observed in cultured neuronal networks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence of synaptic scaling in the intact rodent visual cortex.
  • To determine the role of development and sensory experience in synaptic scaling.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in principal neurons.
  • Manipulation of sensory experience through rearing in darkness and monocular deprivation.
  • Analysis of mEPSC frequency and amplitude across different developmental stages and sensory conditions.

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Main Results:

  • mEPSC frequency increased significantly in the visual cortex between postnatal days 12 and 23.
  • A concurrent decrease in mEPSC amplitude was observed, which was prevented by dark rearing.
  • Monocular deprivation led to a rapid, layer- and age-dependent increase in mEPSC amplitude.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic scaling of mEPSC amplitudes occurs in the intact rodent visual cortex.
  • This scaling is influenced by both normal development and sensory experience.
  • Synaptic scaling likely plays a role in the activity-dependent refinement of cortical connectivity.