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The development of a dialogue between cortex and midbrain to integrate multisensory information
1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157-1010, USA. bestein@wfubmc.edu
Experimental Brain Research
|July 1, 2005
Summary
Early brain development shows plasticity, allowing compensation for sensory processing disruptions. However, removing both key brain areas early prevents this, impairing multisensory integration in the superior colliculus.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory processing
- Cortico-collicular pathways
Background:
- The superior colliculus (SC) integrates multisensory information via signals from the anterior ectosylvian (AES) and rostral lateral suprasylvian (rLS) sulci.
- Disrupting these pathways in adults impairs multisensory integration and SC-mediated behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of early-life deactivation of AES and rLS on the development of multisensory processes in the SC.
- To understand the plasticity of cortico-collicular systems during early development.
Main Methods:
- Temporary deactivation of AES and rLS in adult animals.
- Early-life removal of either AES or rLS.
- Early-life removal of both AES and rLS.
- Assessment of multisensory integration in SC neurons and SC-mediated behaviors.
Main Results:
- Temporary deactivation of AES or rLS in adults compromises multisensory integration and SC-mediated behaviors.
- Early-life removal of either AES or rLS has minimal impact on SC development and behavior, suggesting compensatory plasticity.
- Early-life removal of both AES and rLS results in a complete lack of compensation, with SC neurons treating stimuli as unisensory.
Conclusions:
- The developing brain exhibits significant plasticity, enabling compensatory mechanisms for the loss of sensory input pathways.
- Redundancy exists between AES and rLS during early development, allowing for functional compensation.
- Complete early-life loss of both AES and rLS prevents the development of normal multisensory integration in the SC, leading to deficits in processing cross-modal stimuli.