This study shows that early neonatal sensory deprivation of one modality can impact cortical plasticity of other sensory cortices because of the reduction in dendritic release of oxytocin from paraventricular hypothalamic neurons. The study also shows that exogenous oxytocin can attenuate the effects of neonatal sensory deprivation on cortical plasticity, thus mimicking the beneficial effects of enriched sensory exposure.
- Jing-Jing Zheng
- Shu-Jing Li
- Xiang Yu
