The influence of early experience on the development of sensory systems.

TY - JOUR

T1 - The influence of early experience on the development of sensory systems.

AU - Grubb, MS

AU - Thompson, Ian

PY - 2004/8

Y1 - 2004/8

N2 - Once sensory stimuli become able to alter firing patterns in the developing brain, they can influence the maturation of neuronal circuits. Recent experimental studies add to our understanding of precisely which developmental events are affected by early experience. In particular, it appears that experience of the external environment can affect the brain earlier in development and at earlier stages of sensory processing than previously thought. These studies emphasise the developmental importance of the patterning of neuronal firing produced either by sensory stimuli or by spontaneous activity. The timing of action potentials is also an important aspect of several exciting studies describing the mechanisms - anatomical, synaptic, and molecular - by which early experience brings about alterations in the maturation of sensory circuitry. Importantly, this kind of approach can lead to predictions concerning the nature of sensory stimulation that is most effective in instructing brain development.

AB - Once sensory stimuli become able to alter firing patterns in the developing brain, they can influence the maturation of neuronal circuits. Recent experimental studies add to our understanding of precisely which developmental events are affected by early experience. In particular, it appears that experience of the external environment can affect the brain earlier in development and at earlier stages of sensory processing than previously thought. These studies emphasise the developmental importance of the patterning of neuronal firing produced either by sensory stimuli or by spontaneous activity. The timing of action potentials is also an important aspect of several exciting studies describing the mechanisms - anatomical, synaptic, and molecular - by which early experience brings about alterations in the maturation of sensory circuitry. Importantly, this kind of approach can lead to predictions concerning the nature of sensory stimulation that is most effective in instructing brain development.

U2 - 10.1016/j.conb.2004.06.006

DO - 10.1016/j.conb.2004.06.006

M3 - Article

SN - 1873-6882

VL - 14

SP - 503

EP - 512

JO - CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY

JF - CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY

IS - 4

ER -