Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, D07747 Jena, Germany; Brain Imaging Center Jena, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, D07747 Jena, Germany.
Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, D07747 Jena, Germany.
Neuroimage. 2021 Jan 15;225:117502. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117502. Epub 2020 Oct 24.
Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that intense learning can be associated with grey matter volume increases in the adult brain. The underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we used monocular deprivation in rats to analyze the mechanisms underlying use-dependent grey matter increases. Optometry for quantification of visual acuity was combined with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging and microscopic techniques in longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. We found an increased spatial vision of the open eye which was associated with a transient increase in the volumes of the contralateral visual and lateral entorhinal cortex. In these brain areas dendrites of neurons elongated, and there was a strong increase in the number of spines, the targets of synapses, which was followed by spine maturation and partial pruning. Astrocytes displayed a transient pronounced swelling and underwent a reorganization of their processes. The use-dependent increase in grey matter corresponded predominantly to the swelling of the astrocytes. Experience-dependent increase in brain grey matter volume indicates a gain of structure plasticity with both synaptic and astrocyte remodeling.
容积磁共振成像研究表明，高强度的学习可以与成年人脑灰质体积的增加相关联。但其潜在机制尚不清楚。在这里，我们使用大鼠单眼剥夺来分析使用依赖性灰质增加的机制。通过眼科检查对视力进行定量分析，并结合容积磁共振成像和显微镜技术进行纵向和横断面研究。我们发现，睁开的眼睛的空间视力增加，与之相关的是对侧视觉和外侧内嗅皮层的体积短暂增加。在这些脑区，神经元的树突伸长，突触的靶点棘突数量大量增加，随后是棘突成熟和部分修剪。星形胶质细胞表现出短暂的明显肿胀，并经历了其过程的重组。灰质的使用依赖性增加主要对应于星形胶质细胞的肿胀。大脑灰质体积的经验依赖性增加表明，突触和星形胶质细胞重塑都伴随着结构可塑性的增加。
