Work

Columnar Architecture Sculpted by GABA Circuits in Developing Cat Visual Cortex

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: The mammalian visual cortex is organized into columns. Here, we examine cortical influences upon developing visual afferents in the cat by altering intrinsic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibition with benzodiazepines. Local enhancement by agonist (diazepam) infusion did not perturb visual responsiveness, but did widen column spacing. An inverse agonist (DMCM) produced the opposite effect. Thus, intracortical inhibitory circuits shape the geometry of incoming thalamic arbors, suggesting that cortical columnar architecture depends on neuronal activity.

Source: Science

DOI: 10.1126/science.1091031

Authors: Takao K. Hensch, Michael P. Stryker

Institutions: University of California, San Francisco, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, RIKEN

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Eye Institute

Award: DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY OF THE VISUAL SYSTEM