Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Visual Cortical Plasticity

A growing body of evidence indicates that the visual cortex retains a considerable degree of plasticity well into adulthood, suggesting that the visual acuity and binocular visual function of adult amblyopic patients can be improved even beyond the critical period of visual development. Currently, as novel treatment options for amblyopia, pharmacological and non-invasive methods that can enhance the plasticity of the visual cortex have not yet been widely applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is of critical importance to investigate the underlying mechanisms of visual cortex plasticity to pave the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies for amblyopia. This paper reviews current research progress on mechanisms contributing to changes in visual cortical plasticity, including the regulation of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural activities, extracellular matrix remodeling, inhibitory factors associated with plasticity, and neurotrophic factors. With the continued advancement of various neuroimaging technologies, future research should aim to elucidate the precise mechanisms that control the initiation and closure of the critical period, and to clarify how the various factors involved in the regulation of visual cortical plasticity act jointly across different cell types and signaling pathways. Such investigations will provide new approaches and strategies for the treatment of amblyopia.