Early monocular deprivation reduces the capacity for neural plasticity in the cat visual system

Obstruction of vision to one eye during early postnatal development elicits neural modifications in the visual system that can last a lifetime. Research in rodents has revealed that an early and transient monocular deprivation (MD) can produce an enduring alteration to the framework of neural connections within visual cortex. This lasting trace of early MD enables an enhanced effect of a second MD imposed on the same eye in adulthood. In the current study, we examined whether the modification of plasticity potential was bidirectional by assessing whether the effect of early and brief MD attenuated the impact of a subsequent MD when applied to the fellow eye. Results were clear in showing that animals with an early MD exhibited a smaller response to later visual deprivation of the fellow eye. Compared to controls, animals with a history of MD exhibited less atrophy of neurons, and a smaller loss of neurofilament labeling within the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. The shift in cortical ocular dominance elicited by MD was also smaller in animals with a prior MD. These results indicate that early MD elicits abiding and eye-specific neural modifications that can selectively alter plasticity potential in the visual system.