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Cited by 111Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchVisual perception and processing mechanismsNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Decline of the Critical Period of Visual Plasticity Is Concurrent with the Reduction of NR2B Subunit of the Synaptic NMDA Receptor in Layer 4

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Erisir, Alev, Harris, Janna L.·2003·The Journal of Neuroscience
DOI 10.1523/jneurosci.23-12-05208.2003PMC PMC3119651
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Abstract

The specific composition of NMDA receptor subunits is thought to underlie the developmental plasticity of the cortex revealed by unbalanced binocular stimulation. However, evidence that NR2 subunits change in correlation with the critical period at locations that are relevant to visual plasticity has been missing. Using preembedding and postembedding immunostaining, as well as electron microscopy, we quantified the volumetric densities of NR1-, NR2A-, and NR2B-containing synapses in layers 4 and 2/3 of the ferret visual cortex at different postnatal ages. Before eye opening, NR2A is encountered infrequently at postsynaptic sites in layer 4, but it increases sharply by postnatal day 34. In the subsequent weeks, postsynaptic NR2A labeling increases gradually in both layers 4 and 2/3 to become the most prevalent subunit in the adult animal. The NR2B subunit is the more prevalent subunit at the onset of the critical period of cortical plasticity. However, it displays different developmental patterns in layers 4 and 2/3. Although no change occurs in synaptic NR2B density in layer 2/3, in layer 4, NR2B maintains its high levels through the peak of the critical period and then becomes significantly reduced by the end of the peak of the critical period. This low level is maintained throughout adulthood. Our results demonstrate a correlation between the loss of NR2B subunits from layer 4 synaptic sites and the decline of the critical period, suggesting that the presence of NR2B subunits at synaptic sites could be a permissive factor regulating the ocular dominance plasticity of the developing cortex.

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  • Together these findings suggest that the switch from NR2B to NR2A dominated receptors terminates the critical period of experience-dependent plasticity for establishment of ocular dominance columns in the visual cortex.

    “Together these findings suggest that the switch from NR2B to NR2A dominated receptors terminates the critical period of experience-dependent plasticity for establishment of ocular dominance columns in the visual cortex.”

    From A role for synaptic plasticity in the adolescent development of executive function (2013) · cites this paper as [106]

    In “A developmental switch or specificity for individual inputs?” (page unavailable), the paper explicitly proposes that loss of NR2B-containing receptors at specific synapses—not a switch to NR2A-dominated receptor composition—is related to declining plasticity. It reports that the NR2A/NR2B ratio keeps rising beyond the critical period, so it does not support the proposed switch as what terminates that period. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Authors
Erisir, A., & Harris, J. L.
Affiliations
University of Virginia (US)
ORCID
Harris, Janna L.
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Publisher
Society for Neuroscience
Published
2003-06-15
Volume
23
Issue
12
Pages
5208-5218
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
DOI
10.1523/jneurosci.23-12-05208.2003
PMC
PMC3119651
OpenAlex
W1528276351
Cited by
111
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Eye Institute (R01EY012138, R01-EY12138)
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
critical period, visual plasticity, NMDA receptor subunits, NR2B, NR2A, NR1, synaptic density, layer 4, layer 2/3, visual cortex development, ocular dominance plasticity, binocular stimulation, ferrets, postnatal development, postsynaptic sites
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Animals, Critical Period, Psychological, Ferrets, Immunohistochemistry, Microscopy, Electron, Neuronal Plasticity, Synapses, Visual Cortex, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, Protein Subunits, Dominance, Ocular

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