Environmental Influences on Visual Cortex Development and Plasticity

Sale, Alessandro; Berardi, Nicoletta; Maffei, Lamberto

doi:10.5772/48522

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 150 publications

(171 reference statements)

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“…In the early postnatal life, the majority of neuronal contacts are excitatory. The maturation process of the brain increases inhibitory neurotransmission, and when it reaches a certain threshold, the critical period switches off [13].…”

Section: Amblyopia and Brain Plasticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Untitled

2017

GJIDD

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The theory of "fractality of sensations" links to the development and maintenance of the optimal complexity of the networks and functional activity of the brain with the complexity of the visual and other environmental signals that affect the person during the life. The need to control and maintain healthy fractal dynamics during the lifespan by using the natural and artificial cues of complex structure and dynamics was substantiated. In pathological conditions, when the dynamics of the rhythmic brain activity is disordered, or a simplification of visible environmental stimuli occurs, technologies of nonlinear stimulation therapy can be especially helpful. The use of complex stimuli can promote recovery of the brain in the aging, neurodegenerative diseases and amblyopia, acting through the reactivation of neuroplasticity. We argue here that nonlinear stimulation therapy can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the treatment of amblyopia. We believe that the increasing the plasticity potential, bringing it closer to that characterizes critical periods in the CNS development will significantly enhance the effectiveness of amblyopia treatment not only in children but also in the adult. Possible technical solutions for improving training video-games in the treatment of amblyopia are discussed based on the using the flashing background of various complexity.

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Section: Amblyopia and Brain Plasticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A potential of the plasticity can be reinforced with the help of various learning technologies, including physical and perceptive training. Many methods of reactivation of neuroplasticity are considered within the framework of the concept of the "Environmental Enrichment" (EE) [13,[17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

Section: Amblyopia and Brain Plasticitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2017

GJIDD

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“…Recently, Alwis and Rajan (2014) critically analyzed this experimental paradigm. In an early development and adulthood, EE profoundly affects the animal brain at the functional, anatomical and molecular level ( Kempermann et al, 2002 ; Nithianantharajah and Hannan, 2006 , 2009 ; Butz et al, 2009 ; Baroncelli et al, 2010 , 2012 ; Sale et al, 2012 ). Short-term exposure to the EE leads to a significant enhancement of hippocampal neurogenesis associated with a substantial improvement in cognitive performance ( van Praag et al, 2000 , 2005 ; Kempermann et al, 2002 ).…”

Section: Non-drug Ways To Reactivate the Plasticity Of The Adult Braimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In rats and mouse models, amblyopia can be induced by monocular deprivation during early development. It has been shown that adult amblyopic rats transferred to an EE setting for 3 weeks undergo a full recovery of visual functions ( Sale et al, 2007 , 2012 ). Restoration of plasticity in enriched animals accompanied a threefold reduction in GABA release, and the beneficial effects of EE were eliminated entirely by intracortical infusion of benzodiazepine diazepam.…”

Section: Non-drug Ways To Reactivate the Plasticity Of The Adult Braimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The correct combination of appropriate pharmacotherapy with the EE strategies was suggested to be a promising therapy for certain neurological disorders to improve an internal repair capacity of the brain (review by Foster et al, 2011 ; Sale et al, 2012 ). Foster et al (2011) focused their recent study on the different lifestyle factors and possible pharmacological therapy aimed to reduce the risk for and to improve cognitive functions in mild cognitive impairment, AD, and other age-related disorders.…”

Section: Non-drug Ways To Reactivate the Plasticity Of The Adult Braimentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fractality of sensations and the brain health: the theory linking neurodegenerative disorder with distortion of spatial and temporal scale-invariance and fractal complexity of the visible world

2015

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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The theory that ties normal functioning and pathology of the brain and visual system with the spatial–temporal structure of the visual and other sensory stimuli is described for the first time in the present study. The deficit of fractal complexity of environmental influences can lead to the distortion of fractal complexity in the visual pathways of the brain and abnormalities of development or aging. The use of fractal light stimuli and fractal stimuli of other modalities can help to restore the functions of the brain, particularly in the elderly and in patients with neurodegenerative disorders or amblyopia. Non-linear dynamics of these physiological processes have a strong base of evidence, which is seen in the impaired fractal regulation of rhythmic activity in aged and diseased brains. From birth to old age, we live in a non-linear world, in which objects and processes with the properties of fractality and non-linearity surround us. Against this background, the evolution of man took place and all periods of life unfolded. Works of art created by man may also have fractal properties. The positive influence of music on cognitive functions is well-known. Insufficiency of sensory experience is believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of amblyopia and age-dependent diseases. The brain is very plastic in its early development, and the plasticity decreases throughout life. However, several studies showed the possibility to reactivate the adult’s neuroplasticity in a variety of ways. We propose that a non-linear structure of sensory information on many spatial and temporal scales is crucial to the brain health and fractal regulation of physiological rhythms. Theoretical substantiation of the author’s theory is presented. Possible applications and the future research that can experimentally confirm or refute the theoretical concept are considered.

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