Plasticity in the Visual System describes and evaluates the evidence for neural mechanisms proposed to underlie CNS plasticity in the major divisions of the brain dedicated to visual processing, the retina, sub-cortical structures and cortex.

Studies are presented from a wide variety of disciplines that range from molecular biology to neurophysiology and computer modeling. Leading investigators discuss their own work, and integrate this research with colleagues from other specializations.

Plasticity in the Visual System points out future applications for this research including clinical uses and engineering within the biomedical sciences.

Contents

1. Introduction: Plasticity in the Visual System: From Genes to Circuits

Part I: Retinal and Thalamic Plasticity

2. Synaptic Plasticity and Structural Remodeling of Rod and Cone Cells
3. Retinal Remodeling: Circuitry Revisions Triggered by Photoreceptor Degeneration
4. Retinal Plasticity and Interactive Cellular Remodeling in Retinal Detachment and Reattachment
5. Experience-Dependent Retinal Circuit Rewiring: Involvement of Immediate Early Genes
6. Attentional Activation of Cortico-Thalamic Pathways Revealed by Fos Imaging

Part II: Cortical Plasticity

7. Neuromodulatory Transmitters in Sensory Processing and Plasticity in the Primary Visual Cortex
8. Critical Calcium-Regulated Biochemical and Gene Expression Programs in Experience-Dependent Plasticity
9. The Molecular Biology of Sensory Map Plasticity in Adult Mammals
10. Plasticity of Retinotopic Maps in Visual Cortex of Cats and Monkeys After Lesions of the Retinas or Primary Visual Cortex
11. Intra-Cortical Inhibition in the Regulation of Receptive Field Properties and Neural Plasticity in the Primary Visual Cortex
12. Plasticity in V1 Induced by Perceptual Learning
13. Investigating Higher Order Cognitive Functions in the Dorsal (Magnocellular) Stream of Visual Processing
14. Dopamine-Dependent Associative Learning of Workload Predicting Cues in the Temporal Lobe of the Monkey

Part III: Theoretical Considerations

15. Linking Visual Development and Learning to Information Processing: Pre-attentive and Attentive Brain Dynamics
16. Conclusion: A Unified Theoretical Framework for Plasticity in Visual Circuitry

Index

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