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Multisensory plasticity in congenitally deaf mice: how are cortical areas functionally specified?
D L Hunt1, E N Yamoah, L Krubitzer
1Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Center for Neuroscience, 95616, USA.
Neuroscience
|March 15, 2006
Summary
Congenital deafness in mice alters brain development, causing sensory re-routing in the neocortex. This study reveals how early sensory experience shapes cortical organization and size.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Sensory Systems
Background:
- The neocortex's functional organization is shaped by developmental activity patterns.
- Understanding how sensory deprivation affects cortical plasticity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of congenital deafness on neocortical structure and function in mice.
- To determine how altered sensory input influences cortical field assignment and size.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings were used to assess neuronal responses.
- Cortical myeloarchitecture was analyzed to examine brain structure.
- Congenitally deaf and normal mice were compared.
Main Results:
- In deaf mice, the "auditory cortex" responded to visual and somatosensory stimuli.
- The primary visual area showed increased size and a higher proportion of somatosensory-responsive neurons.
- Cortical architecture and functional specialization became de-correlated.
Conclusions:
- Relative activity across sensory systems during development influences cortical field modality and size.
- Neocortical changes, like altered field size, can result from various developmental pathways.
- Sensory experience plays a critical role in shaping the developing neocortex.
Related Concept Videos
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
01:33Somatosensation
The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
01:15Auditory Pathway
Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
01:01Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.