Strengthening Visual Connections

Abstract

It has been known since the 1960s that, if one eye of a young kitten is covered, there is a change in neuronal connections in the visual pathway in the brain for that eye. In a Perspective, [Cynader][1] discusses new findings ([ Trachtenberg et al. ][2]) showing that alterations in neural connections from the sensory-deprived eye are found first in the lower and upper layers of the primary visual cortex and not in layer IV where it has always been presumed that the first changes take place. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/287/5460/1943 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/287/5460/2029