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In Vivo Visualization of Spontaneous Activity in Neonatal Mouse Sensory Cortex at a Single-Neuron Resolution
Published on: November 21, 2023
Enhanced visual activity in vivo forms nascent synapses in the developing retinotectal projection
Carlos D Aizenman1, Hollis T Cline
1Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|February 3, 2007
Summary
Enhanced visual stimulation in Xenopus tadpoles promotes the formation of new, immature synapses in the retinotectal pathway. This visual input increases synapse number and amplitude, impacting both AMPA and NMDA receptor responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Patterned neural activity is crucial for sensory circuit development.
- Previous studies showed visual stimulation accelerates neuronal growth in Xenopus tadpoles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if enhanced visual stimulation impacts synaptic maturation and synapse formation in the retinotectal pathway.
- To characterize the properties of synapses formed under visual stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Assessed synaptic properties in stage 48 Xenopus tadpoles exposed to simulated-motion stimulus.
- Utilized paired-pulse stimulation to identify low release probability (Pr) synapses.
- Recorded evoked miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in the presence of Sr(2+).
Main Results:
- Visual stimulation led to a relative decrease in AMPA/NMDA ratio for paired stimuli.
- Enhanced visual stimulation selectively increased the amplitude and number of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated mEPSCs for paired stimuli.
- Results indicate visual stimulation promotes synapses with low Pr, characteristic of immature synapses.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced visual stimulation in vivo promotes the formation of new synapses with immature properties.
- This process affects both AMPAR- and NMDAR-mediated responses in the retinotectal pathway.
- Visual experience plays a significant role in shaping synaptic development and circuit wiring.
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