[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

that amplify and increase the selectivity of cortical responses to surprising stimulus events.
However, the possible role for this sub-cortical biasing in the genesis of ADHD remains
unexplored. To further understand this possible link, we have examined the role of the Zona-
Incerta, a deep brain nucleus, in cortical plasticity and cortical map reorganization. Using a
combination of electrical and sound stimulation paradigms we have determined that selective
activation of ZI using electrical stimulation paired to variable sound frequencies results in the
systematic re-tuning of cortical responses of the primary auditory cortex (A1) to lower
frequencies (< 8 kHz). To explore the detailed function of ZI in inducing this cortical bias, we
either passively exposed young (P0 up to P40) or trained adult rats (from P35 to 7 months of age)
to recognize 5-8 kHz tonal stimuli. Our results demonstrate that passive exposure or behavioral
training leads to an over-representation of cortical responses within this 5-8 kHz band. ZI
stimulation in these animals results in an immediate and moderately persistent re-tuning of
selective frequency responses to greatly exaggerate the < 5 kHz range.
Disclosures: N. Nagarajan , None; M.M. Merzenich, None.
Poster
249. Dyslexia, SLI, and Other Disorders of Cognition and Behavior
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 249.18/V3
Topic: C.05.d. ADHD, SLI, dyslexia and other specific disorders of neurobehavior
Support: COFIN-MIUR 2005
Title: Excitatory amino acids in the forebrain of the Naples High-Excitability rats: behavioral
effects of subchronic D-Aspartate and its Diethyl prodrug treatment
Authors: A. DI PIZZO 1 , L. A. RUOCCO 2 , U. A. GIRONI CARNEVALE 2 , D. MELISI 3 , A.
CURCIO 3 , S. DE LUCIA 3 , M. RIMOLI 3 , C. ARRA 4 , E. TOPO 1 , A. D'ANIELLO 1 , *A. G.
SADILE 5 ;
1 Biochem., Zoological Station A.Dohrn, Naples, Italy; 2 Exptl. Med., Second Univ. of Naples,
Naples, Italy; 3 Pharmaceut. and Toxicol. Chem., Univ.Federico II, Naples, Italy; 4 Animal
facility, Natl. Cancer Inst., Naples, Italy; 5 Exptl. Med., Second Univ. Napoles, Napoli, Italy
Abstract: Naples High Excitability (NHE) rats model the mesocortical variant of ADHD.
Differential display experiments have shown a higher expression of the NR1 subunit of NMDA
receptors in the prefrontal cortex of NHE rats compared to Random Bred (NRB) controls. Aim
of this study was to investigate whether this was associated to an altered level of putative
excitatory amino acids, i.e. D and L glutammate and aspartate isomers. Thus, prepuberal NHE