Development of intrinsic properties and excitability of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons during a critical period for sensory maps in rat barrel cortex

Maravall, M., Stern, E. A., Svoboda, K. (July 2004) Development of intrinsic properties and excitability of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons during a critical period for sensory maps in rat barrel cortex. J Neurophysiol, 92 (1). pp. 144-56. ISSN 0022-3077 (Print)

URL: http://jn.physiology.org/content/92/1/144
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00598.2003

Abstract

The development of layer 2/3 sensory maps in rat barrel cortex (BC) is experience dependent with a critical period around postnatal days (PND) 10-14. The role of intrinsic response properties of neurons in this plasticity has not been investigated. Here we characterize the development of BC layer 2/3 intrinsic responses to identify possible sites of plasticity. Whole cell recordings were performed on pyramidal cells in acute BC slices from control and deprived rats, over ages spanning the critical period (PND 12, 14, and 17). Vibrissa trimming began at PND 9. Spiking behavior changed from phasic (more spike frequency adaptation) to regular (less adaptation) with age, such that the number of action potentials per stimulus increased. Changes in spiking properties were related to the strength of a slow Ca(2+)-dependent afterhyperpolarization. Maturation of the spiking properties of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons coincided with the close of the critical period and was delayed by deprivation. Other measures of excitability, including I-f curves and passive membrane properties, were affected by development but unaffected by whisker deprivation.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: Action Potentials physiology Animals Animals Newborn Neocortex growth & development physiology Pyramidal Cells growth & development physiology Rats Sensory Deprivation physiology Vibrissae growth & development physiology
Subjects: organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > barrel cortex
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell functions > neural plasticity
organism description > animal > mammal > rodent > rat
organism description > animal > mammal > rodent > rat
CSHL Authors:
Depositing User: CSHL Librarian
Date: July 2004
Date Deposited: 01 Feb 2012 15:13
Last Modified: 01 Feb 2012 15:13
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/22432

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