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Cortisol reduces plasticity in the kitten visual cortex.

N W Daw1, H Sato, K Fox

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.

Journal of Neurobiology
|March 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Elevated cortisol levels in cats reduce visual cortex plasticity, impacting ocular dominance shifts. This effect is dose-dependent and occurs even outside the peak critical period.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Animal Models

Background:

  • Cortisol, a stress hormone, plays a role in brain development and function.
  • Visual cortex plasticity is crucial for normal visual system development.
  • The critical period for visual plasticity is a sensitive window for developmental changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of elevated cortisol on visual cortex plasticity in cats.
  • To determine if cortisol affects ocular dominance shifts during monocular deprivation.
  • To explore the relationship between natural cortisol levels and the decline of the critical period.

Main Methods:

  • Cats received daily cortisol injections starting around 35 days of age.
  • Monocular deprivation was implemented for 10 days, followed by visual cortex recordings.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Ocular dominance histograms were constructed and compared between cortisol-treated and control groups.
  • Plasma cortisol levels were measured in normal cats of various ages.

    • Main Results:

    • Cortisol administration significantly reduced the ocular dominance shift in a dose-dependent manner.
    • The effect of cortisol on plasticity was observed even when administered before light exposure and outside the peak critical period.
    • Natural cortisol levels in cats remained relatively constant during the critical period for plasticity, suggesting it's not the primary driver for its decline.

    Conclusions:

    • Elevated cortisol levels substantially impact visual cortex plasticity in cats.
    • Cortisol's influence on plasticity is present throughout the sensitive developmental window, not just at its peak.
    • The natural rise in cortisol levels does not appear to be the cause for the closure of the critical period for visual plasticity.