Rapid Hebbian axonal remodeling mediated by visual stimulation

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1251593
• Publication Date: 2014-05-23T06:33:13Z
• Authors: Martin Munz; Delphine Gobert; Anne Schohl; Jessie Poquérusse; Kaspar Podgorski; Perry Spratt; Edward S. Ruthazer
• Keywords: Tectum

We examined how correlated firing controls axon remodeling, using in vivo time-lapse imaging and electrophysiological analysis of individual retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons that were visually stimulated either synchronously or asynchronously relative to neighboring inputs the Xenopus laevis optic tectum. RGCs out synchrony rapidly lost ability drive tectal postsynaptic partners while their grew added many new branches. In contrast, activated produced fewer branches, but these more stable. The effects synchronous activation prevented by inhibition neurotransmitter release N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) blockade, which is consistent with a role for synaptic NMDAR stabilization axonal branches suppression further exploratory branch addition.