Abstract
SummaryThis in vivo study shows that both intrinsic and sensory-evoked synaptic properties of layer 2/3 neurons in mouse visual cortex are modified by ongoing visual input. Following visual deprivation, intrinsic properties are significantly altered, although orientation selectivity across the population remains unchanged. We, therefore, suggest that cortical cells adjust their intrinsic excitability in an activity-dependent manner to compensate for changes in synaptic drive and maintain sensory network function.
Highlights
Local network activity can influence the biophysical properties of constituent neurons (Angelo et al, 2012), and the homeostatic mechanisms that serve to maintain cellular excitability are crucial to ensuring stable network function (Marder and Goaillard, 2006)
We observed that V.D. mice had significantly depolarized resting membrane potentials (median control: À76.8 mV versus V.D.: À71.6 mV (IQR: 9.6 mV); p = 0.0019 Wilcoxon rank-sum test; Figures 1A and 1B) and spike threshold (control: À27.9 mV (IQR: 10.4 mV) versus V.D.: À24.3mV (IQR: 9.7 mV); p = 1.4 3 10À4; Figures 1A and 2C) compared to control mice
The resting membrane potential and spike threshold both shifted to more depolarized potentials in the absence of visual input, the distance from rest to threshold did not change (control: 49.1 mV (IQR: 11.7 mV) versus V.D.: 48.9 mV (IQR: 15.4 mV); p = 0.64; Figure 1D)
Summary
Local network activity can influence the biophysical properties of constituent neurons (Angelo et al, 2012), and the homeostatic mechanisms that serve to maintain cellular excitability are crucial to ensuring stable network function (Marder and Goaillard, 2006). Recordings from neurons in vitro show that the biophysical profile of a given cell can be influenced by recent activity (Desai et al, 1999; Marder and Goaillard, 2006; Maffei and Turrigiano, 2008; Nataraj et al, 2010) and that such intrinsic plasticity can alter the response to input (Desai et al, 1999; Turrigiano et al, 1994; Sjostrom et al, 2008). Experience-dependent changes in cellular excitability are partly dependent on changes at synapses (Desai et al, 2002; Goel and Lee, 2007; Hofer et al, 2009), no study has yet investigated whether externally driven activity might drive intrinsic changes in vivo or how this could be used to optimize or maintain physiological function, for example a particular output, such as overall firing rate (Turrigiano and Nelson, 2004; Keck et al, 2013; Kuhlman et al, 2013; Hengen et al, 2013; Barnes et al, 2015; Gainey and Feldman, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
