Structural basis for the role of inhibition in facilitating adult brain plasticity
Author(s)
Kubota, Yoshiyuki; Lin, Walter C; Cha, Jae Won; So, Peter T. C.; Nedivi, Elly; Chen, Jerry L.; ... Show more Show less
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Although inhibition has been implicated in mediating plasticity in the adult brain, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we present a structural mechanism for the role of inhibition in experience-dependent plasticity. Using chronic in vivo two-photon microscopy in the mouse neocortex, we show that experience drives structural remodeling of superficial layer 2/3 interneurons in an input- and circuit-specific manner, with up to 16% of branch tips undergoing remodeling. Visual deprivation initially induces dendritic branch retractions, and this is accompanied by a loss of inhibitory inputs onto neighboring pyramidal cells. The resulting decrease in inhibitory tone, also achievable pharmacologically using the antidepressant fluoxetine, provides a permissive environment for further structural adaptation, including addition of new synapse-bearing branch tips. Our findings suggest that therapeutic approaches that reduce inhibition, when combined with an instructive stimulus, could facilitate restructuring of mature circuits impaired by damage or disease, improving function and perhaps enhancing cognitive abilities.
Date issued
2011-04Department
Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biological Engineering; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biology; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering; Picower Institute for Learning and MemoryJournal
Nature Neuroscience
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Citation
Chen, Jerry L et al. “Structural Basis for the Role of Inhibition in Facilitating Adult Brain Plasticity.” Nature Neuroscience 14, 5 (April 2011): 587–594 © 2011 Nature America, Inc
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
1097-6256
1546-1726