National Eye Institute 3F30EY034380-04S1

Plasticity of cortical networks during learning

This award funds research on the plasticity of the primary visual cortex during different stages of visual associative learning using imaging and behavioral paradigms to understand neural and cortico-cortical plasticity.

Description

Plasticity occurs in the primary visual cortex (V1) in response to visual associative learning, where one stimulus is paired with reward (CS+) and another is not (CS-). However, learning is not a unitary process, and distinct stages of learning might drive contrasting plastic changes in V1. Previous work has found dynamic changes in V1 pyramidal neuron activity and inputs at different times throughout learning. Experiments separating distinct learning phases behaviorally are lacking, making it difficult to fully dissect V1 plasticity changes throughout learning. To address this, a 3-phase associative learning task has been designed to separate early, stimulus non-specific learning from late, stimulus-specific learning and reversal learning. Stimulus value will be manipulated via devaluation and spout removal. Using this behavioral paradigm along with 1- and 2-photon calcium imaging of the mouse dorsal cortex, the study will test hypotheses about V1 activity during learning stages, plasticity in response to stimulus value changes, bidirectional plasticity in individual neurons, changes in cortico-cortical connectivity, and the necessity of V1 activity for maintaining these changes.

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