Cortical plasticity, excitatory-inhibitory balance, and sensory perception

Ioana Carcea, Robert C. Froemke

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Experience shapes the central nervous system throughout life. Structural and functional plasticity confers a remarkable ability on the brain, allowing neural circuits to adequately adapt to dynamic environments. This process can require selective adjustment of many excitatory and inhibitory synapses in an organized manner, in such a way as to enhance representations of behaviorally important sensory stimuli while preserving overall network excitability. The rules and mechanisms that orchestrated these changes across different synapses and throughout neuronal ensembles are beginning to be understood. Here, we review the evidence connecting synaptic plasticity to functional plasticity and perceptual learning, focusing on the roles of various neuromodulatory systems in enabling plasticity of adult neural circuits. However, the challenge remains to appropriately leverage these systems and forms of plasticity to persistently improve perceptual abilities and behavioral performance.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationProgress in Brain Research
PublisherElsevier B.V.
Pages65-90
Number of pages26
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameProgress in Brain Research
Volume207

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Keywords

  • Excitatory-inhibitory balance
  • Neuromodulation
  • Perception
  • Sensory cortex
  • Synaptic plasticity

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