▪ Abstract Neuronal circuits are shaped by experience during critical periods of early
postnatal life. The ability to control the timing, duration, and closure of these heightened …

In the mature brain, GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) functions primarily as an inhibitory
neurotransmitter. But it can also act as a trophic factor during nervous system development …

The modern cochlear implant (CI) is the most successful neural prosthesis developed to
date. CIs provide hearing to the profoundly hearing impaired and allow the acquisition of …

Cerebral cortical functions are conducted by two general classes of neurons: glutamatergic
projection neurons and GABAergic interneurons. Distinct interneuron subtypes serve distinct …

Experience-dependent plasticity during development results in the emergence of highly
adapted representations of the external world in the adult brain. Previous studies have …

Sensory and environmental manipulations affect the development of sensory systems.
Higher-order auditory representations (auditory categories or “objects”) evolve with …

Deafness affects∼ 2 in 1000 children and is one of the most common congenital
impairments. Permanent hearing loss can be treated by fitting hearing aids. More severe to …

In the prefrontal cortex, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) are critical
not only for normal prefrontal functions but also for the pathological processes of …

A crucial issue in neurobiology is to understand the main mechanisms restricting neural
plasticity to brief windows of early postnatal life. The visual system is one of the paradigmatic …

In utero experience, such as maternal speech in humans, can shape later perception,
although the underlying cortical substrate is unknown. In adult mammals, ascending …