Influence of early-life sensory experience in the shaping of cortical ensembles

Early in life, the mammalian brain is highly susceptible to experiences and environmental influences, with sensory stimulation inducing significant changes in brain structure and function. This process enhances synaptic plasticity and neuronal activity, reflecting the neocortex's experience-driven plasticity in adapting neural circuits to changing environments. Neuronal ensembles are functional modular units of neuronal circuits that comprises excitatory principal cells and inhibitory interneurons. Among the latest, Parvalbumin expressing interneurons are known to be crucial in the somatosensory cortex, where they fine-tune cortical activity in response to sensory experiences. However, how early-life experiences shape cortical networks remains poorly understood. This project aims to unravel the cellular mechanisms linking early-life experiences with adult behavioural performance. To do so, I propose that exposure to an Enriched Environment paradigm during early stages of postnatal development shapes cortical ensembles that contribute to improve adult behaviour. Using a multidisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art techniques on the support of my sponsor and collaborators, we aim to characterize for the first time these sensory cortical ensembles, the identity of the engaged cells and that of those governing their activity and function.