Spectrotemporal dynamics of auditory cortical synaptic receptive field plasticity

► In adult auditory cortex, excitatory and inhibitory inputs are co-tuned for frequency. ► In young cortex, however, excitation is tuned but inhibition is untuned. ► Over the critical period, passive sensory experience leads to balanced inhibition. ► Adult cortical synaptic receptive field plasticity also requires neuromodulation. ► Synaptic modifications occur to multiple inputs and neurons with complex dynamics.