Removal of Perineuronal Nets Unlocks Juvenile Plasticity Through Network Mechanisms of Decreased Inhibition and Increased Gamma Activity.

ABSTRACT: Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are extracellular matrix structures mainly enwrapping parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory neurons. The assembly of PNNs coincides with the end of the period of heightened visual cortex plasticity in juveniles, whereas removal of PNNs in adults reopens for plasticity. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive. We have used chronic electrophysiological recordings to investigate accompanying electrophysiological changes to activity-dependent plasticity and we report on novel mechanisms involved in both induced and critical period plasticity. By inducing activity-dependent plasticity in the visual cortex of adult rats while recording single unit and population activity, we demonstrate that PNN removal alters the balance between inhibitory and excitatory sp

SUBMITTER: Lensjo KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6596863 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature