Takao Hensch examines how early life experience shapes brain function. Neural circuits are both actively sculpted and vulnerable to disorders during such “critical periods” of development. Integrating molecular, cellular and systems neuroscience, Hensch has revealed that these periods are themselves plastic and reversible. Specific, inhibitory (GABA) circuits determine their onset timing, and “brake”-like factors ultimately consolidate this potent rewiring process. Translational research at Boston Children’s Hospital inspired by his work targets recovery from neurodevelopmental disorders, such as amblyopia, epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. See feature article in Nature for details.
Research Background
Takao Hensch received his PhD from UCSF (HHMI Fellow) after training at Harvard, University of Tokyo (MPH) and the Max-Planck Institut (Fulbright Fellow). He is a recipient of the Young Investigator Award from both the Japanese (2001 Tsukahara Prize) and US (2005) Society for Neuroscience, the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (2007), the Mortimer D. Sackler, M.D. Prize for Distinguished Achievement in Developmental Psychobiology (2016), and leads the NIMH Silvio Conte Center on Mental Health Research at Harvard.
Publications
Sleep-sensitive dopamine receptor expression in male mice underlies attention deficits after a critical period of early adversity. Sci Transl Med. 2024 Oct 09; 16(768):eadh9763. View Abstract
An increased copy number of glycine decarboxylase (GLDC) associated with psychosis reduces extracellular glycine and impairs NMDA receptor function. Mol Psychiatry. 2024 Aug 30. View Abstract
Neurodevelopment of children exposed to prolonged anesthesia in infancy: GABA study interim analysis of resting-state brain networks at 2, 4, and 10-months old. Neuroimage Clin. 2024; 42:103614. View Abstract
Durable recovery from amblyopia with donepezil. Sci Rep. 2023 06 22; 13(1):10161. View Abstract
Maximal Memory Capacity Near the Edge of Chaos in Balanced Cortical E-I Networks. Neural Comput. 2023 Jun 20; 1-33. View Abstract
N-acetylcysteine treatment mitigates loss of cortical parvalbumin-positive interneuron and perineuronal net integrity resulting from persistent oxidative stress in a rat TBI model. Cereb Cortex. 2023 03 21; 33(7):4070-4084. View Abstract
Rapid synaptic and gamma rhythm signature of mouse critical period plasticity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 01 10; 120(2):e2123182120. View Abstract
Tactile sensitivity and motor coordination in infancy: Effect of age, prior surgery, anaesthesia & critical illness. PLoS One. 2022; 17(12):e0279705. View Abstract
Translating the Biology of Adversity and Resilience Into New Measures for Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics. 2022 06 01; 149(6). View Abstract
Lifting brakes on visual cortical plasticity. J Vis. 2022 Feb 01; 22(3):49. View Abstract
Dynamical Characteristics of Wild-Type Mouse Spontaneous Pupillary Fluctuations. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2021 11; 2021:853-856. View Abstract
Sensitive period-regulating genetic pathways and exposure to adversity shape risk for depression. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2022 01; 47(2):497-506. View Abstract
a2-containing ?-aminobutyric acid type A receptors promote stress resiliency in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2021 11; 46(12):2197-2206. View Abstract
"Scrap & build" functional circuits: Molecular and cellular basis of neural remodeling. Neurosci Res. 2021 06; 167:1-2. View Abstract
Kv3.1 channels regulate the rate of critical period plasticity. Neurosci Res. 2021 Jun; 167:3-10. View Abstract
Distributional learning of speech sound categories is gated by sensitive periods. Cognition. 2021 08; 213:104653. View Abstract
Increase in Seizure Susceptibility After Repetitive Concussion Results from Oxidative Stress, Parvalbumin-Positive Interneuron Dysfunction and Biphasic Increases in Glutamate/GABA Ratio. Cereb Cortex. 2020 11 03; 30(12):6108-6120. View Abstract
Critical period regulation across multiple timescales. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 09 22; 117(38):23242-23251. View Abstract
CRISPR/dCas9-based Scn1a gene activation in inhibitory neurons ameliorates epileptic and behavioral phenotypes of Dravet syndrome model mice. Neurobiol Dis. 2020 07; 141:104954. View Abstract
Single-nucleus RNA sequencing of mouse auditory cortex reveals critical period triggers and brakes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 05 26; 117(21):11744-11752. View Abstract
Reduced perceptual narrowing in synesthesia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 05 05; 117(18):10089-10096. View Abstract
Ceftriaxone Treatment Preserves Cortical Inhibitory Interneuron Function via Transient Salvage of GLT-1 in a Rat Traumatic Brain Injury Model. Cereb Cortex. 2019 12 17; 29(11):4506-4518. View Abstract
Multispectral tracing in densely labeled mouse brain with nTracer. Bioinformatics. 2019 09 15; 35(18):3544-3546. View Abstract
Deep learning of spontaneous arousal fluctuations detects early cholinergic defects across neurodevelopmental mouse models and patients. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 09 22; 117(38):23298-23303. View Abstract
Critical Period Regulation by Thyroid Hormones: Potential Mechanisms and Sex-Specific Aspects. Front Mol Neurosci. 2019; 12:77. View Abstract
Deletion of Neuronal GLT-1 in Mice Reveals Its Role in Synaptic Glutamate Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Function. J Neurosci. 2019 06 19; 39(25):4847-4863. View Abstract
Structural maturation of cortical perineuronal nets and their perforating synapses revealed by superresolution imaging. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 04 02; 116(14):7071-7076. View Abstract
Critical periods in amblyopia. Vis Neurosci. 2018 01; 35:E014. View Abstract
PERSPECTIVE Critical periods in amblyopia-CORRIGENDUM. Vis Neurosci. 2018 01; 35:E024. View Abstract
Trajectory of Parvalbumin Cell Impairment and Loss of Cortical Inhibition in Traumatic Brain Injury. Cereb Cortex. 2017 12 01; 27(12):5509-5524. View Abstract
Social Origins of Developmental Risk for Mental and Physical Illness. J Neurosci. 2017 11 08; 37(45):10783-10791. View Abstract
Chondroitin Sulfate Is Required for Onset and Offset of Critical Period Plasticity in Visual Cortex. Sci Rep. 2017 10 03; 7(1):12646. View Abstract
Genetic Otx2 mis-localization delays critical period plasticity across brain regions. Mol Psychiatry. 2017 05; 22(5):785. View Abstract
Oxidative stress-driven parvalbumin interneuron impairment as a common mechanism in models of schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry. 2017 07; 22(7):936-943. View Abstract
Genetic Otx2 mis-localization delays critical period plasticity across brain regions. Mol Psychiatry. 2017 05; 22(5):680-688. View Abstract
THE POWER OF THE INFANT BRAIN. Sci Am. 2016 Feb; 314(2):64-9. View Abstract
Restoration of Visual Function by Enhancing Conduction in Regenerated Axons. Cell. 2016 Jan 14; 164(1-2):219-232. View Abstract
Remodeling of retrotransposon elements during epigenetic induction of adult visual cortical plasticity by HDAC inhibitors. Epigenetics Chromatin. 2015; 8:55. View Abstract
Defects in Synaptic Plasticity, Reduced NMDA-Receptor Transport, and Instability of Postsynaptic Density Proteins in Mice Lacking Microtubule-Associated Protein 1A. J Neurosci. 2015 Nov 25; 35(47):15539-54. View Abstract
Instructing Perisomatic Inhibition by Direct Lineage Reprogramming of Neocortical Projection Neurons. Neuron. 2015 Nov 04; 88(3):475-83. View Abstract
Cell-Specific Regulation of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Maturation by Mecp2 in Cortical Circuits. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 May 01; 79(9):746-754. View Abstract
Targeting Oxidative Stress and Aberrant Critical Period Plasticity in the Developmental Trajectory to Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull. 2015 Jul; 41(4):835-46. View Abstract
Prenatal antidepressant exposure associated with CYP2E1 DNA methylation change in neonates. Epigenetics. 2015; 10(5):361-72. View Abstract
Clock genes control cortical critical period timing. Neuron. 2015 Apr 08; 86(1):264-75. View Abstract
Prolonged Period of Cortical Plasticity upon Redox Dysregulation in Fast-Spiking Interneurons. Biol Psychiatry. 2015 Sep 15; 78(6):396-402. View Abstract
Critical periods in speech perception: new directions. Annu Rev Psychol. 2015 Jan 03; 66:173-96. View Abstract
Sensory integration in mouse insular cortex reflects GABA circuit maturation. Neuron. 2014 Aug 20; 83(4):894-905. View Abstract
At the interface of sensory and motor dysfunctions and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2015 Jan; 11(1):70-98. View Abstract
Bistable parvalbumin circuits pivotal for brain plasticity. Cell. 2014 Jan 16; 156(1-2):17-9. View Abstract
Valproate reopens critical-period learning of absolute pitch. Front Syst Neurosci. 2013; 7:102. View Abstract
Visual acuity development and plasticity in the absence of sensory experience. J Neurosci. 2013 Nov 06; 33(45):17789-96. View Abstract
Germline recombination by conditional gene targeting with Parvalbumin-Cre lines. Front Neural Circuits. 2013; 7:168. View Abstract
IP3R1 deficiency in the cerebellum/brainstem causes basal ganglia-independent dystonia by triggering tonic Purkinje cell firings in mice. Front Neural Circuits. 2013; 7:156. View Abstract
A theory of the transition to critical period plasticity: inhibition selectively suppresses spontaneous activity. Neuron. 2013 Oct 02; 80(1):51-63. View Abstract
DNA methylation map of mouse and human brain identifies target genes in Alzheimer's disease. Brain. 2013 Oct; 136(Pt 10):3018-27. View Abstract
Nav1.1 haploinsufficiency in excitatory neurons ameliorates seizure-associated sudden death in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome. Hum Mol Genet. 2013 Dec 01; 22(23):4784-804. View Abstract
NMDA receptor regulation prevents regression of visual cortical function in the absence of Mecp2. Neuron. 2012 Dec 20; 76(6):1078-90. View Abstract
Serotonergic integration of circadian clock and ultradian sleep-wake cycles. J Neurosci. 2012 Oct 17; 32(42):14794-803. View Abstract
Prenatal exposure to antidepressants and depressed maternal mood alter trajectory of infant speech perception. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Oct 16; 109 Suppl 2:17221-7. View Abstract
Critical period for acoustic preference in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Oct 16; 109 Suppl 2:17213-20. View Abstract
A mouse model for too much TV? Trends Cogn Sci. 2012 Nov; 16(11):529-31. View Abstract
Re-opening Windows: Manipulating Critical Periods for Brain Development. Cerebrum. 2012 Jul; 2012:11. View Abstract
Mouse with Nav1.1 haploinsufficiency, a model for Dravet syndrome, exhibits lowered sociability and learning impairment. Neurobiol Dis. 2013 Jan; 49:29-40. View Abstract
Otx2 binding to perineuronal nets persistently regulates plasticity in the mature visual cortex. J Neurosci. 2012 Jul 04; 32(27):9429-37. View Abstract
Trehalose-enhanced isolation of neuronal sub-types from adult mouse brain. Biotechniques. 2012 Jun; 52(6):381-5. View Abstract
Amblyopia: background to the special issue on stroke recovery. Dev Psychobiol. 2012 Apr; 54(3):224-38. View Abstract
A critical period for auditory thalamocortical connectivity. Nat Neurosci. 2011 Jul 31; 14(9):1189-94. View Abstract
Excitatory projection neuron subtypes control the distribution of local inhibitory interneurons in the cerebral cortex. Neuron. 2011 Feb 24; 69(4):763-79. View Abstract
Linking topography to tonotopy in the mouse auditory thalamocortical circuit. J Neurosci. 2011 Feb 23; 31(8):2983-95. View Abstract
Lynx1, a cholinergic brake, limits plasticity in adult visual cortex. Science. 2010 Nov 26; 330(6008):1238-40. View Abstract
Removing brakes on adult brain plasticity: from molecular to behavioral interventions. J Neurosci. 2010 Nov 10; 30(45):14964-71. View Abstract
Bidirectional plasticity in fast-spiking GABA circuits by visual experience. Nature. 2009 Nov 12; 462(7270):218-21. View Abstract
Common circuit defect of excitatory-inhibitory balance in mouse models of autism. J Neurodev Disord. 2009 Jun; 1(2):172-81. View Abstract
From brain formation to plasticity: insights on Otx2 homeoprotein. Dev Growth Differ. 2009 Apr; 51(3):369-77. View Abstract
Efhc1 deficiency causes spontaneous myoclonus and increased seizure susceptibility. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Mar 15; 18(6):1099-109. View Abstract
A resource for transcriptomic analysis in the mouse brain. PLoS One. 2008 Aug 20; 3(8):e3012. View Abstract
Experience-dependent transfer of Otx2 homeoprotein into the visual cortex activates postnatal plasticity. Cell. 2008 Aug 08; 134(3):508-20. View Abstract
Critical period revisited: impact on vision. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2008 Feb; 18(1):101-7. View Abstract
Reliability of intensity dependence of auditory-evoked potentials. Clin Neurophysiol. 2008 Jan; 119(1):224-36. View Abstract
Nav1.1 localizes to axons of parvalbumin-positive inhibitory interneurons: a circuit basis for epileptic seizures in mice carrying an Scn1a gene mutation. J Neurosci. 2007 May 30; 27(22):5903-14. View Abstract
Optimization of somatic inhibition at critical period onset in mouse visual cortex. Neuron. 2007 Mar 15; 53(6):805-12. View Abstract
International perspectives on engaging the public in neuroethics. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2005 Dec; 6(12):977-82. View Abstract
Critical period plasticity in local cortical circuits. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2005 Nov; 6(11):877-88. View Abstract
Recovery in the blink of an eye. Neuron. 2005 Oct 20; 48(2):166-8. View Abstract
The transcriptional landscape of the mammalian genome. Science. 2005 Sep 02; 309(5740):1559-63. View Abstract
Differential Distribution of NMDA and AMPA Receptor Activity in Layer II/III in Mouse Primary Visual Cortex. Microsc Microanal. 2005 Aug; 11 Suppl 2:1124-5. View Abstract
Excitatory-inhibitory balance and critical period plasticity in developing visual cortex. Prog Brain Res. 2005; 147:115-24. View Abstract
Critical period mechanisms in developing visual cortex. Curr Top Dev Biol. 2005; 69:215-37. View Abstract
Experience-dependent pruning of dendritic spines in visual cortex by tissue plasminogen activator. Neuron. 2004 Dec 16; 44(6):1031-41. View Abstract
Specific GABA(A) circuits in brain development and therapy. Biochem Pharmacol. 2004 Oct 15; 68(8):1685-90. View Abstract
Columnar architecture sculpted by GABA circuits in developing cat visual cortex. Science. 2004 Mar 12; 303(5664):1678-81. View Abstract
Specific GABAA circuits for visual cortical plasticity. Science. 2004 Mar 12; 303(5664):1681-3. View Abstract
Critical period regulation. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2004; 27:549-79. View Abstract
Reciprocal interaction of sleep and synaptic plasticity. Mol Interv. 2003 Oct; 3(7):404-17. View Abstract
Targeting a complex transcriptome: the construction of the mouse full-length cDNA encyclopedia. Genome Res. 2003 Jun; 13(6B):1273-89. View Abstract
Separable features of visual cortical plasticity revealed by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2A signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Mar 04; 100(5):2854-9. View Abstract
Permissive proteolytic activity for visual cortical plasticity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 May 28; 99(11):7717-21. View Abstract
Experience-dependent plasticity without long-term depression by type 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors in developing visual cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Jan 22; 99(2):1041-6. View Abstract
Experience-dependent plasticity of mouse visual cortex in the absence of the neuronal activity-dependent marker egr1/zif268. J Neurosci. 2001 Dec 15; 21(24):9724-32. View Abstract
Inhibitory threshold for critical-period activation in primary visual cortex. Nature. 2000 Mar 09; 404(6774):183-6. View Abstract
Whisking away space in the brain. Neuron. 1999 Nov; 24(3):492-3. View Abstract
Local GABA circuit control of experience-dependent plasticity in developing visual cortex. Science. 1998 Nov 20; 282(5393):1504-8. View Abstract
Comparison of plasticity in vivo and in vitro in the developing visual cortex of normal and protein kinase A RIbeta-deficient mice. J Neurosci. 1998 Mar 15; 18(6):2108-17. View Abstract
Calcium-induced long-term depression in the visual cortex of the rat in vitro. J Neurophysiol. 1996 Aug; 76(2):984-94. View Abstract