Free postsynaptic sites in the lateral geniculate nucleus of adult cats following chronic decortication

Following chronic decortication, free postsynaptic sites were found in the lateral geniculate nucleus of adult cat. Quantitative electron-microscopic analysis of the free postsynaptic sites revealed that they were not identical with the original, vacant postsynaptic sites, but were newly assembled formations. The ability of both relay cells and local interneurons of the adult lateral geniculate nucleus to assemble and/or maintain postsynaptic sites indicates that these nerve cells may be involved in the formation of new synapses.