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This article has been retracted

Science 30 April 2004:
Vol. 304. no. 5671, pp. 739 - 742
DOI: 10.1126/science.1096750
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Reports

Synaptic Changes in Layer 2/3 Underlying Map Plasticity of Developing Barrel Cortex

Carl C. H. Petersen,1,2* Michael Brecht,1 Thomas T. G. Hahn,1 Bert Sakmann1

The functional and anatomical rearrangements of cortical sensory maps accompanying changes in experience are not well understood. We examined in vivo and in vitro how the sensory map and underlying synaptic connectivity of the developing rat barrel cortex are altered when the sensory input to the cortex is partially deprived. In the nondeprived cortex, both the sensory responses and synaptic connectivity between columns were strengthened through an increase in the synaptic connection probability between L2/3 pyramids in adjacent columns. This was accompanied by a selective growth of L2/3pyramid axonal arbors between spared columns. In contrast, deprived and nondeprived cortical columns became weakly connected in their L2/3 pyramid connections.

1 Department of Cell Physiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, Heidelberg D-69120, Germany.
2 The Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain and Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: carl.petersen{at}epfl.ch

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)