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Monocular Visual Deprivation and Ocular Dominance Plasticity Measurement in the Mouse Primary Visual Cortex
Published on: February 8, 2020
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Experience-Dependent Development and Maintenance of Binocular Neurons in the Mouse Visual Cortex
Kyle R Jenks1, Jason D Shepherd2
1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
Cell Reports
|February 13, 2020
Summary
Experience-dependent plasticity is crucial for developing binocular vision circuits. The plasticity gene Arc surprisingly enhances binocular neuron development and maintenance, challenging previous assumptions about its role.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Visual System Research
Background:
- Neuronal circuit development integrates genetic programming and environmental input.
- Visual processing, particularly binocular vision, is highly sensitive to early life experiences.
- The role of plasticity genes like Arc in visual cortex development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of experience-dependent plasticity in the development of the binocular visual cortex.
- To elucidate the function of the plasticity gene Arc in shaping visual circuits.
- To determine if plasticity is required for the maintenance of adult binocular circuits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-photon calcium imaging in awake mice to study neuronal activity at single-cell resolution.
- Examined visual cortex development from eye-opening onwards.
- Investigated the effects of genetic deletion and acute removal of the Arc gene on binocular circuit formation and maintenance.
Main Results:
- Initially, most visually responsive neurons are monocular at eye-opening.
- Binocular neurons develop progressively with visual experience, acquiring specific response properties.
- Mice lacking the Arc gene exhibited an increased number of binocular neurons and altered ocular dominance during development.
- Acute Arc removal in adult mice also increased binocular neuron numbers, indicating a role in circuit maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Experience-dependent plasticity is essential for the proper development and ongoing maintenance of binocular visual circuits.
- The plasticity gene Arc plays a critical, and perhaps counterintuitive, role in promoting binocular circuit formation and stability.
- Ongoing plasticity, influenced by genes like Arc, is vital for maintaining visual processing capabilities throughout life.
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