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Updated: Aug 16, 2025

Monocular Visual Deprivation and Ocular Dominance Plasticity Measurement in the Mouse Primary Visual Cortex
Published on: February 8, 2020
Corticotropin releasing factor neurons in the visual cortex mediate long-term changes in visual function induced by
Yueqin Liu1, Sitong Li1, Xinxin Zhang1
1Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
Early life stress impacts adult visual system plasticity, particularly in females. The study identifies the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the visual cortex as a key mediator of these long-term, sex-specific effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Visual System Research
Background:
- Early life adversity can lead to long-term visual system dysfunction.
- Early chronic mild stress (ECMS) affects ocular dominance (OD) plasticity differently in adult male and female mice.
- The mechanisms underlying the lasting impact of early stress on visual plasticity remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the primary visual cortex (V1) on long-term visual plasticity.
- To determine the sex-specific effects of early stress on V1 plasticity.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for visual deficits resulting from early-life adversity.
Main Methods:
- Optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulation of CRF-positive neurons in the mouse V1.
- Measurement of CRF mRNA expression in adult mouse V1.
- Local administration of CRFR1 antagonist and CRF agonists into the visual cortex.
- Whole-cell electrophysiological recordings of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in V1 pyramidal neurons.
Main Results:
- ECMS reduced CRF mRNA expression in adult mouse V1.
- Activation of V1 CRF neurons impaired OD plasticity in adult ECMS females.
- CRFR1 antagonist administration restored OD plasticity in adult ECMS females by reducing short-term depression of IPSCs.
- CRF agonists had the opposite effect on plasticity and IPSC short-term depression.
Conclusions:
- The local CRF-CRFR1 system in the V1 mediates the long-term, sex-dependent effects of early stress on visual plasticity.
- Targeting the V1 CRF-CRFR1 system may offer a strategy to prevent visual deficits in individuals with a history of early-life adversity.
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