Distinct Gene Systems Mediating Activity-Dependent Plasticity in Visual Cortex

The present invention provides methods for identifying genes and pathways involved in plasticity. The invention applies some of these methods to identify genes that are differentially regulated in at least a portion of the nervous system of an individual subjected to conditions known to result in altered nervous system plasticity, i.e., dark rearing (DR) or monocular deprivation (MD). The genes are targets for pharmacological agents that modify plasticity. The invention also identifies biological pathways that are enriched in genes that are differentially regulated under conditions known to result in altered nervous system plasticity. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for modifying plasticity in the nervous system of a subject. The invention includes a method for modifying plasticity in the nervous system of a subject comprising administering a plasticity-modifying agent to the subject, wherein the plasticity-enhancing agent modulates a gene or pathway that is differentially regulated in developmental conditions that alter nervous system plasticity (e.g., DR or MD). The methods and compositions may be administered to a subject suffering from damage to the nervous system or from a neuropsychiatric disorder in order to enhance recovery, reorganization, or function of the nervous system. The methods optionally include administering a proteolysis-enhancing agent to the subject.