Long Erping, Zhang Xiayin, Liu Zhenzhen, Wu Xiaohang, Tan Xuhua, Lin Duoru, Cao Qianzhong, Chen Jingjing, Lin Zhuoling, Wang Dongni, Li Xiaoyan, Li Jing, Wang Jinghui, Li Wangting, Lin Haotian, Chen Weirong, Liu Yizhi
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
Clin Sci (Lond). 2017 Jun 28;131(13):1515-1527. doi: 10.1042/CS20170234. Print 2017 Jul 1.
Sensitive periods and experience-dependent plasticity have become core issues in visual system development. Converging evidence indicates that visual experience is an indispensable factor in establishing mature visual system circuitry during sensitive periods and the visual system exhibits substantial plasticity while facing deprivation. The mechanisms that underlie the environmental regulation of visual system development and plasticity are of great interest but need further exploration. Here, we investigated a unique sample of human infants who experienced initial stage blindness (beginning at birth and lasting for 2-8 months) before the removal of bilateral cataracts. Retinal thickness (RT), axial length (AL), refractive status, visual grating acuity and genetic integrity were recorded during the preoperative period or at surgery and then during follow-up. The results showed that the development of the retina is malleable and associated with external environmental influences. Our work supported that the retina might play critical roles in the development of the experience-dependent visual system and its malleability might partly contribute to the sensitive period plasticity.
敏感期和经验依赖性可塑性已成为视觉系统发育的核心问题。越来越多的证据表明，视觉经验是在敏感期建立成熟视觉系统神经回路不可或缺的因素，并且当面临视觉剥夺时，视觉系统表现出显著的可塑性。视觉系统发育和可塑性的环境调节机制备受关注，但仍需进一步探索。在此，我们研究了一组独特的人类婴儿样本，他们在双侧白内障摘除术前经历了初始阶段的失明（从出生开始并持续2至8个月）。在术前或手术时以及随访期间记录视网膜厚度（RT）、眼轴长度（AL）、屈光状态、视觉光栅视力和基因完整性。结果表明，视网膜的发育具有可塑性且与外部环境影响相关。我们的研究支持视网膜可能在经验依赖性视觉系统的发育中发挥关键作用，其可塑性可能部分促成了敏感期可塑性。
