Receptive field (RF) plasticity in primary auditory cortex of adult animals
, specifically selective increased response to a tonal conditioned stimulus
(CS) relative to other frequencies, can be induced both by behavioral cond
itioning and by pairing a tone with stimulation of the nucleus basalis (NB)
. This study determined whether cortical muscarinic receptors are necessary
for NB-induced RF plasticity. Single units in layers II-IV were studied in
Urethane anesthetized adult rats. The cortex was perfused with saline or s
aline+atropine sulfate. Conditioning, 30 trials of pairing a tone with NB s
timulation, produced a significant CS-specific response increase (n=8). Loc
al atropine blocked NB-induced RF plasticity, actually resulting in CS-spec
ific response decrease (n=6). Therefore, NB-induced RF plasticity requires
engagement of muscarinic receptors in auditory colter. NeuroReport 12:1537-
1542 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.