[PDF][PDF] A critical period for enhanced synaptic plasticity in newly generated neurons of the adult brain

S Ge, C Yang, K Hsu, G Ming, H Song - Neuron, 2007 - cell.com
S Ge, C Yang, K Hsu, G Ming, H Song
Neuron, 2007cell.com
Active adult neurogenesis occurs in discrete brain regions of all mammals and is widely
regarded as a neuronal replacement mechanism. Whether adult-born neurons make unique
contributions to brain functions is largely unknown. Here we systematically characterized
synaptic plasticity of retrovirally labeled adult-born dentate granule cells at different stages
during their neuronal maturation. We identified a critical period between 1 and 1.5 months of
the cell age when adult-born neurons exhibit enhanced long-term potentiation with …
Summary
Active adult neurogenesis occurs in discrete brain regions of all mammals and is widely regarded as a neuronal replacement mechanism. Whether adult-born neurons make unique contributions to brain functions is largely unknown. Here we systematically characterized synaptic plasticity of retrovirally labeled adult-born dentate granule cells at different stages during their neuronal maturation. We identified a critical period between 1 and 1.5 months of the cell age when adult-born neurons exhibit enhanced long-term potentiation with increased potentiation amplitude and decreased induction threshold. Furthermore, such enhanced plasticity in adult-born neurons depends on developmentally regulated synaptic expression of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors. Our study demonstrates that adult-born neurons exhibit the same classic critical period plasticity as neurons in the developing nervous system. The transient nature of such enhanced plasticity may provide a fundamental mechanism allowing adult-born neurons within the critical period to serve as major mediators of experience-induced plasticity while maintaining stability of the mature circuitry.
cell.com