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Adenosine Production Is Essential For Closing The Critical Period Of Cortical Plasticity, Rachel A. Chassan

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Sensory inputs from the external world are represented as highly organized systems in the adult brain for effective adaptation to the environment. At the cortical level, this organization is referred to as cortical maps. The establishment of cortical maps begins with early life experiences during the critical period, a brief period during development of heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli. During this time, organization of cortical maps is plastic and highly subject to change through passive sensory experience. As an animal matures, the critical period closes and changes to cortical maps occur less freely. The cellular mechanisms of cortical map plasticity …