Neuronal Plasticity: Beyond the Critical Period
Open accessAbstract
Neuronal plasticity in the brain is greatly enhanced during critical periods early in life and was long thought to be rather limited thereafter. Studies in primary sensory areas of the neocortex have revealed a substantial degree of plasticity in the mature brain, too. Often, plasticity in the adult neocortex lies dormant but can be reactivated by modifications of sensory input or sensory-motor interactions, which alter the level and pattern of activity in cortical circuits. Such interventions, potentially in combination with drugs targeting molecular brakes on plasticity present in the adult brain, might help recovery of function in the injured or diseased brain.
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Neuronal circuits continue to exhibit robust plasticity well into adulthood.
“Moreover, since neuronal circuits continue to exhibit robust plasticity -that is to say, remain able to reorganize in response to experience- well into adulthood 11,12 ,”
From Developmental timing and critical windows for the treatment of psychiatric disorders (2016) · cites this paper as [11]
The brain seems to be particularly vulnerable to insults (genetic and environmental) around specific sensitive periods in which changes in brain structure have long-lasting impact over the lifespan.
“Although development is a continuous process, the brain seems to be particularly vulnerable to insults (genetic and environmental) around specific sensitive periods in which changes in brain structure have long-lasting impact over the lifespan 11 .”
From Developmental timing and critical windows for the treatment of psychiatric disorders (2016) · cites this paper as [11]
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- Authors
- Hübener, M., & Bonhoeffer, T.
- Affiliations
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology (DE)
- Max Planck Society (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Hübener, Mark
- Bonhoeffer, Tobias
- Venue
- Cell
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-11
- Volume
- 159
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 727-737
- ISSN
- 0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1982733111
- Cited by
- 237
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 11
- FWCI
- 1.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Cell (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Keywords
- neuroplasticity, critical period, primary sensory cortex, sensory input, sensorimotor interaction, cortical circuits, brain injury recovery, neurorehabilitation
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain, Critical Period, Psychological, Humans, Neuronal Plasticity, Species Specificity, Neocortex, Dominance, Ocular
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