Prey capture learning drives critical period-specific plasticity in mouse binocular visual cortex.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Visual System Plasticity

Background:

• Critical periods are vital developmental windows for brain plasticity and circuit refinement.
• Sensory deprivation effects during critical periods are well-studied, but enhanced experience effects are less understood.
• The primary visual cortex undergoes significant changes during these periods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of enhanced sensory experience (prey capture learning) on visual system plasticity during critical periods.
• To assess structural and functional changes in the primary visual cortex associated with visual learning.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a prey capture learning paradigm in mice during their critical period.
• Assessed structural plasticity, including excitatory connectivity and spine turnover.
• Evaluated functional plasticity through temporal frequency discrimination tests.
• Investigated the role of TNFα in mediating observed plasticity.

Main Results:

• Prey capture learning significantly improved temporal frequency discrimination in critical period mice.
• This learning induced substantial remodeling of visual circuitry, marked by increased excitatory connectivity and spine turnover.
• These rewiring effects were persistent and not observed in adult mice.
• TNFα-dependent mechanisms were identified as crucial for mediating this plasticity.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced visual experience during critical periods drives structural plasticity to improve visual function.
• This experience promotes long-lasting increases in spine dynamics, potentially enhancing future plasticity.
• TNFα signaling plays a key role in mediating experience-dependent visual cortex rewiring.