PNN removal caused reduced inhibitory activity, and reset the network to a juvenile state. Experimentally induced activity-dependent plasticity by monocular deprivation caused rapid changes in single unit activity, and a remarkable potentiation of gamma oscillations. Our results demonstrate how PNNs may be directly involved in stabilizing the neural network. Moreover, the immediate potentiation of gamma activity after plasticity onset points to potential new mechanisms for initiation of activity-dependent plasticity.
Lensjø K, Lepperød M, Dick G, Hafting T, Fyhn M. Removal of perineuronal nets unlocks juvenile plasticity through network mechanisms of decreased inhibition and increased gamma activity. J Neurosci. 2016 Dec 30. pii: 2504-16. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2504-16.2016.
Read more about the hypothesis about PNN and long-term memory in Science.