Cited by 589Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchVisual perception and processing mechanisms

Removing brakes on adult brain plasticity: From molecular to behavioral interventions

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Bavelier, Daphne, Levi, Dennis M., Li, Roger W., Dan, Yang, Hensch, Takao K.·2010·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Adult brain plasticity, although possible, remains more restricted in scope than during development. Here, we address conditions under which circuit rewiring may be facilitated in the mature brain. At a cellular and molecular level, adult plasticity is actively limited. Some of these “brakes” are structural, such as perineuronal nets or myelin, which inhibit neurite outgrowth. Others are functional, acting directly upon excitatory-inhibitory balance within local circuits. Plasticity in adulthood can be induced either by lifting these brakes through invasive interventions or by exploiting endogenous permissive factors, such as neuromodulators. Using the amblyopic visual system as a model, we discuss genetic, pharmacological, and environmental removal of brakes to enable recovery of vision in adult rodents. Although these mechanisms remain largely uncharted in the human, we consider how they may provide a biological foundation for the remarkable increase in plasticity after action video game play by amblyopic subjects.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.4812-10.2010

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  • The balance between plasticity and stability is tilted toward plasticity early in life, and at maturity it shifts toward greater stability of neural circuits, although restricted plasticity remains.

    “The balance between plasticity and stability is tilted towards plasticity early in life -- a time when there are many opportunities for the brain to be sculpted by experiences – ranging from initial sensory experiences to early nutrient exposure/restriction or developmental adversities (70; 71; 72). At maturity, the balance is shifted toward greater stability of neural circuits, although the”

    From Adolescent Neurodevelopment (2013) · cites this paper as [72]

  • Typical antidepressants may promote a neuroplastic state resembling the highly malleable brain of early development, potentially allowing changes in brain structure and function that are otherwise limited in the adult brain.

    “Typical antidepressants may promote a neuroplastic state similar to the highly malleable brain in early development, possibly allowing for changes in brain structure and function that are otherwise limited in the adult brain, which is relatively more stable, as previously reviewed [84-86].”
  • Various drugs, environmental manipulations, and genetic approaches have induced iPlasticity across several model systems and in people.

    “Subsequently, several pharmacological treatments (Table 1) and environmental manipulations7,191–193, as well as genetic means, have been used to induce iPlasticity in several model systems and also in humans186.”
  • Shifting the excitatory-inhibitory balance in relevant neural circuits may increase plasticity.

    “Evidence from a promising line of studies suggests that shifting the excitatory-inhibitory balance in relevant neural circuits may increase plasticity (Thompson et al., 2008, Bavelier et al., 2010).”

    From The impact of developmental timing for stress and recovery (2015) · cites this paper as Bavelier et al., 2010

  • Mature PNNs are inhibitory for experience-dependent plasticity; their increase correlates with critical period termination and removal in adult V1 restores plasticity.

    “Mature PNN is inhibitory for experience-dependent plasticity: its increase in developing V1 correlates with the termination of the critical period and its removal in adult V1 restores plasticity (27,31,32).”

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Authors
Bavelier, D., Levi, D. M., Li, R. W., Dan, Y., & Hensch, T. K.
Affiliations
  • University of Rochester (US)
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
  • Boston Children's Hospital (US)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2010-11-10
Volume
30
Issue
45
Pages
14964-14971
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W1988993555
Cited by
589
References
131
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 59 · 2014: 45 · 2013: 52 · 2012: 49
FWCI
12.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Ellison Medical Foundation
  • James S. McDonnell Foundation
  • U.S. Public Health Service (EYRO10178)
  • National Eye Institute (EY-016880, R01EY020976, R01EY018861, EY18861, R01EY016880, R01EY001728)
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 › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Keywords
adult brain plasticity, perineuronal nets, myelin, neurite outgrowth, excitation-inhibition balance, neuromodulators, amblyopia, pharmacological interventions, action video games
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Critical Period, Psychological, Humans, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Synapses

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