Auditory cortex

Modifying the adult rat tonotopic map with sound exposure produces frequency discrimination deficits that are recovered with training

Training promotes the recovery of electrophysiological measures of reduced neural discriminability following sound exposure.

Chronic downregulation of parvalbumin-positive cell activity accelerates early perceptual learning but impairs end performance

These findings suggest that PV+ cells regulate perceptual learning, "for better and for worse".

PET Imaging of Perceptual Learning-Induced Changes in the Aged Rodent Cholinergic System

Learning led to region-specific changes in cholinergic neurotransmission, as detected by PET imaging and immunohistochemistry.

Reactivation of critical period plasticity in adult auditory cortex through chemogenetic silencing of parvalbumin-positive interneurons

'Manipulating a specific type of neuron in the auditory cortex of rats can restore their brain plasticity.' ~ Futurity

A Brain without Brakes; Reduced Inhibition Is Associated with Enhanced but Dysregulated Plasticity in the Aged Rat Auditory Cortex

'They say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but new research shows you can teach an old rat new sounds' ~ NeuroscienceNews

Dynamic Brains and the Changing Rules of Neuroplasticity: Implications for Learning and Recovery

The quality and quantity of sensory inputs reaching the brain influence the rules of plasticity within cortical sensory areas

Pairing Cholinergic Enhancement With Perceptual Training Promotes Recovery of Age-Related Changes in Rat Primary Auditory Cortex

Combining auditory training with neuromodulation can restore many of the functional deficits observed as a result of normal aging.

Cortical plasticity

Development, learning, aging and the brain