Role of neurotrophins in the development and plasticity of the visual system: experiments on dark rearing

An extensive series of studies, beginning with the pioneering experiments o f Wiesel and Hubel, have shown that correct visual experience is crucial fo r the development of the visual system. Several years ago, we put forward t he hypothesis that neurotrophic factors of the neurotrophin family (NGF, BD NF, NT-3, NT-4) have a role in mediating the effects of visual experience i n the developing visual system. This theory is based on the following exper imental results: (a) exogenous supply of neurotrophins during the critical period prevents the effects of monocular deprivation; and (b) transplant of cells releasing NGF allows a normal development of the functional properti es of visual cortical neurons in dark-reared rats. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. Ail rights reserved.