Transcallosal connectivity changes in rodent visual cortex following monocular enucleation or light deprivation: an MEMRI study

Abstract

Binocularity is one of the most prominent characteristics of neurons in the visual cortex. It relies on both direct ipsilateral geniculocortical inputs and callosal projections from the contralateral cortex. Understanding these underpinnings of binocularity plasticity may shed light on new therapies for amblyopia. In this study, we hypothesize visual manipulation of left or right eye may exert different impact on right to left callosal transfter, which could be characterized by high resolution MEMRI utilizing manganese ion (Mn2+) as an anatomical and functional neuronal marker. Our results are consistent with the findings from eletrophysiological and c-fos staining experiments and demonstrated MEMRI as a powerful tool for probing corpus callosum functions and plasticity with efficiency, sensitivity and specificity. (Abstract by ISMRM)