Selective lifelong suppression of an odor processing channel in response to critical period experience.

Lifelong suppression of Or42a odor responses occurs after a critical period in Drosophila, driven by glial pruning that is highly selective for this sensory pathway.

• Why it matters: Understanding how early-life sensory experiences shape neural circuits is crucial for insights into sensory processing and plasticity, yet the mechanisms of selective pruning remain unclear.
• What they did: The study used two-photon Ca2+ imaging and voltage indicators to show that odor-evoked responses in Or42a OSNs are permanently suppressed after critical period exposure, with glial pruning specifically targeting these neurons.
• The result: This work reveals that pruning during the critical period causes lasting circuit modifications, enabling targeted sensory circuit plasticity and highlighting the role of inhibitory connectivity in shaping neural responses.