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Dark‐rearing changes dendritic microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2) but not subplate neurons in cat visual cortex
Author(s) -
Reid S. N. M.,
Daw N. W.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.903590104
Subject(s) - subplate , biology , sensory system , neuroscience , sensory deprivation , visual cortex , darkness , neuroplasticity , period (music) , visual system , neuron , cerebral cortex , botany , physics , acoustics
Sensory‐dependent modification of cortical morphology is one component of the cortical plasticity that occurs during the critical period for ocular dominance changes. In this study, we used dark‐rearing to examine the sensory dependency of subplate neuron death and the quantity of microtubule‐associate protein 2 (MAP2)‐positive dendrites. Kittens reared in total darkness until the peak of the critical period had fewer laterally extended MAP2‐positive dendrites than age‐matched normal kittens. This reduction was found in layer IV but not in layer V. Subsequent exposure to light for 10 days after dark‐rearing was sufficient to bring the number of MAP2‐positive dendrites to the normal level. Contrarily, dark‐rearing did not prevent subplate neurons from dying. Exposure to light after dark‐rearing did not increase the number of potential dying neurons. These results show that the quantity of MAP2‐positive dendrites is sensory‐dependent; however, the death of the subplate neurons is not. Therefore, the death of subplate neurons is probably not directly involved in sensory‐dependent modifications of synaptic connections. The possible involvement of laterally extended MAP2‐dendrites in visual plasticity is discussed. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.