single-cell transcriptomic atlas of sensory-dependent gene expression in developing mouse visual cortex

This dataset provides an extensive single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis of the mouse visual cortex in response to different sensory experiences during a critical period of brain development. The research focuses on the transcriptional responses of cortical cells to either sensory deprivation or acute sensory stimulation. We examined 118,529 individual nuclei from sixteen neuronal and non-neuronal cell types, extracted from mice under three different conditions: control, sensory deprived, and sensory stimulated. The study aims to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms by which sensory experiences influence neural circuit development and maturation. More than 100 unique sensory-induced genes were identified across the samples, offering insights into how sensory stimuli affect gene expression in distinct cortical cell types. Our findings highlight the roles of Neurexin and Neuregulin signaling pathways in mediating excitatory interactions within the visual cortex, and reveal that excitatory neurons, especially pyramidal neurons in layers 2 and 3, show significant transcriptional sensitivity to sensory inputs. These results can advance the understanding of synaptic and cellular adaptations during sensory-driven neural development. This dataset will serve as a valuable resource for researchers studying the genetic and molecular basis of neural circuitry changes in response to environmental stimuli.