Upregulation of barrel GABAergic neurons is associated with cross-modal plasticity in olfactory deficit.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loss of a sensory function is often followed by the hypersensitivity of other modalities in mammals, which secures them well-awareness to environmental changes. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cross-modal sensory plasticity remain to be documented.

Methodology/principal findings

Multidisciplinary approaches, such as electrophysiology, behavioral task and immunohistochemistry, were used to examine the involvement of specific types of neurons in cross-modal plasticity. We have established a mouse model that olfactory deficit leads to a whisking upregulation, and studied how GABAergic neurons are involved in this cross-modal plasticity. In the meantime of inducing whisker tactile hypersensitivity, the olfactory injury recruits more GABAergic neurons and

SUBMITTER: Ni H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2966404 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature