Changes in GABAergic markers accompany degradation of neuronal function in the primary visual cortex of senescent rats.

ABSTRACT: Numerous studies have reported age-dependent degradation of neuronal function in the visual cortex and have attributed this functional decline to weakened intracortical inhibition, especially GABAergic inhibition. However, whether this type of functional decline is linked to compromised GABAergic inhibition has not been fully confirmed. Here, we compared the neuronal response properties and markers of GABAergic inhibition in the primary visual cortex (V1) of young adult and senescent rats. Compared with those of young adult rats, old rats' V1 neurons exhibited significantly increased visually evoked responses and spontaneous activity, a decreased signal-to-noise ratio and reduced response selectivity for the stimulus orientation and motion direction. Additionally, the ratio of GABA-positiv

SUBMITTER: Ding Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5668371 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature