Evidence for an Involvement of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) Receptor Mechanisms in Experience-Dependent Plasticity of Kitten Striate Cortex

摘要

Intracortical infusion of the NMDA ('N-methyl-D-aspartate') receptor blocker 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) renders kitten striate cortex resistant to the effects of monocular deprivation. In addition, one week of APV treatment produces a striking loss of orientation selectivity in area 17. These data support the hypothesis that crucial variables for the expression of activity dependent synaptic modifications are a critical level of postsynaptic activation and calcium entry through gates linked to NMDA receptors.