Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.01.070540v1?rss=1 Authors: Omrani, A., Bijlsma, A., Spoelder, M., Verharen, J. P. H., Bauer, L., Cornelis, C., van Dorland, R., Vanderschuren, L. J. M. J., Wierenga, C. J. Abstract: Experience-dependent organization of neuronal connectivity is a critical component of brain development, but how experience shapes prefrontal cortex (PFC) development is unknown. Here, we assessed how social play behaviour, which is highly abundant during post-weaning development, shapes PFC function and connectivity. We subjected juvenile rats to social play deprivation (SPD), followed by resocialization until adulthood. In a PFC-dependent probabilistic reversal learning task, SPD rats earned a similar number of rewards, but achieved more reversals than control rats. Computational trial-by-trial analysis showed that SPD rats displayed a simplified cognitive strategy. In addition, inhibitory synaptic currents were significantly reduced in layer 5 PFC cells of SPD rats, with specific changes in parvalbumin- and cannabinoid receptor 1-positive perisomatic inhibitory synapses. Thus, SPD has a long-lasting impact on PFC inhibition via synapse-specific alterations, associated with simplified cognitive strategies. We conclude that proper PFC development depends on pertinent social experience during a restricted time period. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info