Bidirectional axonal plasticity during reorganization of adult rat primary somatosensory cortex

Cortical sensory maps contain discrete functional subregions that are separated by borders that restrict tangential activity flow. Interestingly, the functional organization of border regions remains labile in adults, changing in an activity-dependent manner. Here, we investigated if axon remodeling contributes to this reorganization. We located the border between the forepaw and lower jaw representation (forepaw/lower jaw border,1 FP/LJ border) in SI of adult rats, and used a retrograde axonal tracer (cholera toxin subunit B2, Ctb) to determine if horizontal axonal projections change after different durations of forelimb denervation or sham-denervation. In sham-denervated animals, neurons close to the border had axonal projections oriented away from the border (axonal bias). Forelimb denervation resulted in a sustained change in border location and a significant reduction in the axonal bias at the original border after 6 weeks of denervation, but not after 4 or 12 weeks. The change in axonal bias was due to an increase in axons that cross the border at 6 weeks, followed by an apparent loss of these axons by 12 weeks. This suggests that bidirectional axonal rearrangements are associated with relatively long durations of reorganization and could contribute transiently to the maintenance of cortical reorganization.

Research Highlights► Forelimb denervation induces sustained changes in border location. ► This reorganization is associated with a temporary increase in cross-border axonal projections. ► Bidirectional axonal rearrangements are associated with long durations of reorganization.