The representation of peripheral nerve inputs in the S-I hindpaw cortex of rats raised with incompletely innervated hindpaws.

摘要: The hindpaws of 1-d-old rats were partially denervated by transection and ligation the sciatic nerve. Following growth to adulthood, topographical organization hindpaw representation in primary somatosensory (S-I) cortex was studied with neurophysiological mapping techniques compared previously normal adult that had transection. goals (1) determine how is affected when development occurs an incomplete set peripheral inputs, (2) identify possible differences capacity neonatal CNSs adjust loss inputs. rat relatively immature on day birth. Neonatal nerve stunted gross resulted a permanent low-threshold mechanoreceptor inputs from zones normally innervated A comparison cortical representations neonatally indicated early caused several changes cortex, including skin areas nerve, limited infringement cutaneous hindquarter into zone deprived (3) increased variability relationships representations, (4) decrease size area responsive denervates general reaction injury at both ages similar: Neurons some parts activated uninjured nerves, whereas neurons other this unresponsive stimulation. projection different, however, after denervation rats. From these findings we suggest normal, topographically organized requires integration spatially specific manner, more than one pattern adjustment injury, age important determinant established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)