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Long-term sensory deprivation prevents dendritic spine loss in primary somatosensory cortex

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Listed:
  • Yi Zuo

    (New York University School of Medicine)

  • Guang Yang

    (New York University School of Medicine)

  • Elaine Kwon

    (New York University School of Medicine)

  • Wen-Biao Gan

    (New York University School of Medicine)

Abstract

The brain: use it and lose it In the cerebral cortex of humans and other mammals, rapid synapse formation during early postnatal life is followed by a substantial loss of synapses through adolescence and into adulthood. The mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon are unknown. It is generally believed that experience leads to an increase in the number of synapses and that's certainly true in early postnatal life but a study in young adolescent mice paints a very different picture. Long-term sensory deprivation increased dendritic spine numbers (hence synaptic links) by reducing the rate of spine elimination. At distinct stages of life it seems that the more experience one has, the more synapses will be lost in the brain. These results emphasize the importance of childhood experience in sculpting neuronal connectivity while the brain is up to the task.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi Zuo & Guang Yang & Elaine Kwon & Wen-Biao Gan, 2005. "Long-term sensory deprivation prevents dendritic spine loss in primary somatosensory cortex," Nature, Nature, vol. 436(7048), pages 261-265, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:436:y:2005:i:7048:d:10.1038_nature03715
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03715
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    Cited by:

    1. I. Hristovska & M. Robert & K. Combet & J. Honnorat & J-C Comte & O. Pascual, 2022. "Sleep decreases neuronal activity control of microglial dynamics in mice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.

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