Olfactory upregulation induced by whisker tactile deprivation is associated with an elevated communication from pyramidal neurons to interneurons via excitatory synapses in the piriform cortex.

<p>The function of excitatory synapses was evaluated by recording spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) on the interneurons. <b>A</b>) shows the recorded sEPSCs on the interneurons in piriform cortex from mice of control (left panel) and whisker tactile deprivation (right). Calibration bars are 15 pA and 1 second. <b>B</b>) shows quantitative data about cumulative probability vs. inter-event intervals in controls (filled symbols) and whisker tactile deprivation (hollows; p<0.01, n = 9). <b>C</b>) shows cumulative probability versus sEPSC amplitudes in the controls (filled symbols) and whisker tactile deprivation (hollows).