Modifications of the single cortical vibrissal column

Abstract

The anatomy, cytoarchitectonics and unit responses of the vibrissal barrel field make it a good subject for studying the central effects of peripheral receptor manipulations. The paper reviews the properties of the barrel system and the evidence for columnar functioning of the barrel cortex. The plastic changes of the single vibrissal column visualized with 2-deoxyglucose autoradiography are described. Cortical plasticity was evoked by vibrissal receptor lesions, deprivation or repetitive stimulation in neonatal and adult rats. The possible processes participating in changing the appearance of the cortical column are discussed. The role of reshaping of intracortical connections within the barrel field is suggested as an important mechanism of plasticity of the vibrissal cortical columns.