Age-Dependent Ocular Dominance Plasticity in Adult Mice

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003120
• Publication Date: 2008-08-29T20:36:08Z
• Authors: Konrad Lehmann; Siegrid Löwel
• Keywords: Monocular deprivation; Monocular; Sensory deprivation; Dominance (genetics)

Background Short monocular deprivation (4 days) induces a shift in the ocular dominance of binocular neurons juvenile mouse visual cortex but is ineffective adults. Recently, it has been shown that an can still be elicited young adults (around 90 days age) by longer periods (7 days). Whether same true also for fully mature animals not yet known. Methodology/Principal Findings We therefore studied effects different (4, 7, 14 on C57Bl/6 mice ages (25 days, 90–100 109–158 208–230 using optical imaging intrinsic signals. In addition, we used virtual optomotor system to monitor acuity open eye during deprivation. observed plasticity after 7 was pronounced adult (90–100 significantly weaker already next age group (109–158 older than 208 absent even Visual increased all groups, this interocular declined with age, although much lesser degree optically detected shift. Conclusions/Significance These data indicate there age-dependence both and enhancement vision mice: most animals, reduced present adolescence 110 age. Mice are thus basically from cats monkeys which absolutely essential prerequisite their use as valid model systems human disorders.