Plasticity of the neural network for spatial recognition

Abstract

Linkage between behavior indicative of spatial recognition and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity has been elusive. We hypothesize that postnatal tuning of synaptic efficacy in the vestibular nucleus is required for the recognition of head orientation and the expression of vestibular behavior. Sensory cues of orientations are transmitted from the inner ear to neurons in the vestibular nucleus via glutamate synapses. During postnatal development, these synapses became functional after acquisition of specific glutamate receptor subtypes that triggered long-term …