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Cited by 520Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchVisual perception and processing mechanismsNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

The development of synapses in the visual system of the cat

Cragg, B. G.·1975·Journal of Comparative Neurology
DOI 10.1002/cne.901600202
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Abstract

Synapses have been counted by electron microscopy and neurones by light microscopy through the depth of the visual cortex in a series of cats from 37 days gestation to adulthood. A few definite synapses are present as early as three weeks before birth, but there is then a latent period of four weeks before synapses increase rapidly in number 8–37 days after birth. The synapses occur just above and just below the cell plate at first, but in the adult cat they become evenly distributed in the depth of the cortex. The gradual separation of neurones by neuropil during development precedes a parallel increase in the density of synapses by about one week. The average number of synapses associated with one neurone rises to a peak of about 13,000 at seven weeks after birth. The densities of synapses and of neurones subsequently fall to slightly lower values in adult cats as the glial cells continue to develop. The timing of synaptic development in the visual cortex has been compared quantitatively with that in the L. G. N. and qualitatively with synaptogenesis in the retina. Synapses develop in the L. G. N. and cortex in a parallel fashion, and the L. G. N. precedes the cortex by a short interval of about two days. In the cell plate of the retina a few receptor synapses are present nine days before birth. Inner plexiform synapses are also present at this time, but ribbon‐containing synapses do not appear until birth. Very few receptors possess outer segments with discs at birth, but five days later disc‐bearing outer segments have developed. Thus synaptic development starts before afferent impulses can enter the visual system, but the main increase in synapses in the L. G. N. and cortex takes place four weeks after the start of synapse formation while the visual system is being used.

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  • Critical periods for sensory plasticity occur in the same preadolescent period in which remodeling of connectivity occurs.

    “It is noteworthy that critical periods for sensory plasticity occur in the same preadolescent period in which remodeling of connectivity occurs.34, 48, 49”

    From A role for synaptic plasticity in the adolescent development of executive function (2013) · cites this paper as [34]

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Authors
Cragg, B. G.
Affiliations
Monash University (AU)
Corresponding author
Cragg, B. G.
Venue
Journal of Comparative Neurology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1975-03-15
Volume
160
Issue
2
Pages
147-166
ISSN
  • 0021-9967 (ISSN-L)
  • 1096-9861
DOI
10.1002/cne.901600202
OpenAlex
W2024614800
Cited by
520
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
FWCI
7.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 10801 d)
Locations
  • The Journal of Comparative Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
synaptogenesis, visual cortex, lateral geniculate nucleus, retina, cats, postnatal development, synaptic density, glial cells, cell plate, ribbon synapses, visual system development
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aging, Animals, Cats, Cell Count, Geniculate Bodies, Gestational Age, Microscopy, Electron, Neural Pathways, Retina, Synapses, Visual Cortex

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