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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
13:51
Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
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Multiple Morphological Factors Underlie Experience-Dependent Cross-Modal Plasticity in the Developing Sensory
Miao Wang1,2, Zixian Yu1,2, Guangying Li1
1Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|December 13, 2019
Summary
Early sensory deprivation alters brain wiring by reducing synaptic connections and neuronal structures. Enriched environments can reverse these effects, highlighting the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Sensory Systems Biology
Background:
- Sensory experience is crucial for developing neural circuits.
- Previous work showed whisker deprivation (WD) reduces synaptic transmission in mouse sensory cortices.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate morphological factors in experience-dependent neural wiring.
- Examine effects of early sensory deprivation on neuronal structure.
Main Methods:
- Used in utero electroporation and optical clearing in mice.
- Analyzed presynaptic bouton density, spine density, dendrite, and axon arbor lengths.
- Studied barrel cortex (somatosensory) and auditory cortex.
Main Results:
- WD reduced bouton and spine density in the primary somatosensory cortex.
- WD decreased dendrite/axon size and bouton density in the auditory cortex.
- Environmental enrichment rescued the observed structural deficits.
Conclusions:
- Multiple morphological factors underlie experience-dependent structural plasticity.
- Early sensory experience shapes the wiring of sensory cortices.
- Environmental enrichment promotes recovery of neural structure.
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