Synaptic scaling in the

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Synaptic scaling in the developing visual cortex
Niraj S. Desai Brandeis University The
Neurosciences Institute

1. Cell Cultures
2. Slices
3. Slice Cultures

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Neocortical cultures

• Use pharmacology to manipulate activity
• Measure effects on synaptic currents

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Quantal currents
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Synaptic scaling

• Postsynaptic change in receptor density
• Global and multiplicative rescaling
• Slow time course (gt 12 h)

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Dark rearing modifies age effects
Control Dark-reared
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Monocular deprivation
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C D
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Channel infection in slice cultures
Johns et al. (1999) Burrone et al. (2002)
K channels
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Summary

• Slow form of homeostatic plasticity
• Active in visual system development
• Effects are age- and layer-specific

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Acknowledgments
Gina Turrigiano Sacha Nelson Robert Cudmore
Brandeis University
Tanya Casimiro Geoffrey Owens
Neurosciences Institute