Experience-dependent plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory intertectal inputs in Xenopus tadpoles.

ABSTRACT: Communication between optic tecta/superior colliculi is thought to be required for sensorimotor behaviors by comparing inputs across the midline, however the development of and the role of visual experience in the function and plasticity of intertectal connections are unclear. We combined neuronal tracing, in vivo time-lapse imaging, and electrophysiology to characterize the structural and functional development of intertectal axons and synapses in Xenopus tadpole optic tectum. We find that intertectal connections are established early during optic tectal circuit development. We determined the neurotransmitter identity of intertectal neurons using both rabies virus-mediated tracing combined with post-hoc immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiology. Excitatory and inhibitory intertectal neu

SUBMITTER: Gambrill AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5110636 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature