RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dynamic response to initial stage blindness in visual system development
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 116590
DO 10.1101/116590
A1 Erping Long
A1 Xiayin Zhang
A1 Zhenzhen Liu
A1 Xiaohang Wu
A1 Xuhua Tan
A1 Duoru Lin
A1 Qianzhong Cao
A1 Jingjing Chen
A1 Zhuoling Lin
A1 Dongni Wang
A1 Xiaoyan Li
A1 Jing Li
A1 Jinghui Wang
A1 Wangting Li
A1 Haotian Lin
A1 Weirong Chen
A1 Yizhi Liu
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/03/14/116590.abstract
AB 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 when 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 2 to 8 months) before the removal of bilateral cataracts. Retinal thickness, axial length, 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 environment 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.SUMMARY STATEMENT The follow-up investigation of a group of human infants, who experienced initial stage blindness before the removal of bilateral cataracts, revealed that retinal development is associated with environment influences and its malleability might be a potential basis of plasticity.