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Developmental down-regulation of LTD in cortical layer IV and its independence of modulation by inhibition

S M Dudek1, M J Friedlander

  • 1Neurobiology Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0021, USA.

Neuron
|June 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Long-term depression (LTD) in the visual cortex requires a critical period for induction. Blocking inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) restored LTD in juvenile, but not adult, layer IV neurons, suggesting developmental regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Long-term depression (LTD) is a key mechanism for synaptic weakening in visual cortical plasticity.
  • A critical period for LTD induction in layer IV is essential for its validity as a model.
  • Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) complicate LTD induction in layer IV.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in the developmental regulation of LTD in visual cortical layer IV.
  • To determine if blocking IPSPs can restore LTD induction during the critical period in layer IV.
  • To compare the developmental down-regulation of LTD induction in layer IV with that in layers II/III.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro electrophysiology in visual cortical slices.
  • Afferent stimulation at 1 Hz to induce LTD.
  • Intracellular blockade of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs).
  • Comparison of LTD induction in juvenile and mature animals, and across different cortical layers (IV vs. II/III).

Main Results:

  • Intracellular blockade of IPSPs restored the ability to induce LTD in layer IV neurons of juvenile animals.
  • LTD induction remained impaired in mature animals even after blocking IPSPs.
  • The developmental down-regulation of LTD induction was specific to layer IV and not observed in layers II/III.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the hypothesis that an LTD-like phenomenon is involved in critical period plasticity.
  • Developmental changes in inhibitory circuitry do not appear to be the primary cause for the down-regulation of LTD induction in layer IV.
  • Layer IV exhibits a specific developmental window for LTD induction that is modulated by inhibitory processes.

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