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Auditory critical periods: a review from system's perspective
1Hearing4all Cluster of Excellence, Hannover School of Medicine, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 35, D-30625 Hannover, Germany. kral.andrej@mh-hannover.de
Neuroscience
|May 28, 2013
Summary
Experience shapes the developing auditory system during sensitive periods, transforming naive networks into functional systems. Early hearing deprivation has lasting effects, but targeted therapies may reopen critical developmental windows.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Sensory System Development
Background:
- Sensitive periods are critical for sensory system development.
- Cortical development is experience-dependent.
- Auditory system development relies on hearing experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review evidence for sensitive periods in sensory systems.
- Examine neuronal mechanisms underlying sensitive periods.
- Understand the impact of experience on auditory system development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on sensory system development and plasticity.
- Analysis of neuronal mechanisms of feature and object representation.
- Discussion of molecular and integrative effects of sensory deprivation.
Main Results:
- Experience transforms naive cortical networks into categorization-capable networks, establishing auditory objects.
- Absence of hearing experience prevents auditory system patterning, leading to functional consequences.
- Auditory deprivation impacts synaptic plasticity, corticocortical couplings, and feature/object representation.
Conclusions:
- Sensitive periods are crucial for auditory system development and function.
- Auditory deprivation causes molecular and integrative brain changes that close sensitive periods.
- Reopening critical periods requires addressing molecular brakes and focused therapy on integrative effects.
Keywords:
DZPAFdeprivationdevelopmentdorsal zonehearing lossplasticityposterior auditory fieldsensitive periodstop–downMore Related Videos
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