RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Layer 4 Pyramidal Neurons Exhibit Robust Dendritic Spine Plasticity In Vivo after Input Deprivation JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 7287 OP 7294 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5215-14.2015 VO 35 IS 18 A1 Amaya Miquelajauregui A1 Sahana Kribakaran A1 Ricardo Mostany A1 Aurora Badaloni A1 G. Giacomo Consalez A1 Carlos Portera-Cailliau YR 2015 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/35/18/7287.abstract AB Pyramidal neurons in layers 2/3 and 5 of primary somatosensory cortex (S1) exhibit somewhat modest synaptic plasticity after whisker input deprivation. Whether neurons involved at earlier steps of sensory processing show more or less plasticity has not yet been examined. Here, we used longitudinal in vivo two-photon microscopy to investigate dendritic spine dynamics in apical tufts of GFP-expressing layer 4 (L4) pyramidal neurons of the vibrissal (barrel) S1 after unilateral whisker trimming. First, we characterize the molecular, anatomical, and electrophysiological properties of identified L4 neurons in Ebf2-Cre transgenic mice. Next, we show that input deprivation results in a substantial (∼50%) increase in the rate of dendritic spine loss, acutely (4–8 d) after whisker trimming. This robust synaptic plasticity in L4 suggests that primary thalamic recipient pyramidal neurons in S1 may be particularly sensitive to changes in sensory experience. Ebf2-Cre mice thus provide a useful tool for future assessment of initial steps of sensory processing in S1.