| First Author | Fagiolini M | Year | 2004 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 303 |
| Issue | 5664 | Pages | 1681-3 |
| PubMed ID | 15017002 | Mgi Jnum | J:90028 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3042324 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1091032 |
| Citation | Fagiolini M, et al. (2004) Specific GABAA circuits for visual cortical plasticity. Science 303(5664):1681-3 |
| abstractText | Weak inhibition within visual cortex early in life prevents experience-dependent plasticity. Loss of responsiveness to an eye deprived of vision can be initiated prematurely by enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated transmission with benzodiazepines. Here, we use a mouse 'knockin' mutation to alpha subunits that renders individual GABA type A (GABA(A)) receptors insensitive to diazepam to show that a particular inhibitory network controls expression of the critical period. Only alpha1-containing circuits were found to drive cortical plasticity, whereas alpha2-enriched connections separately regulated neuronal firing. This dissociation carries implications for models of brain development and the safe design of benzodiazepines for use in infants. |
