(A) Schematic representation of electrophysiological experiment. Excitatory and inhibitory synaptic responses of layer 2/3-2/3 synapses (lateral pathway) were recorded in this experiment. (B) (Top) Synaptic responses at layer 2/3-2/3 synapses in the barrel cortex of intact rats (Intact), rats with 2days VD (2days VD) or 7daysVD. (Bottom) Mean ratio of IPSC (holding potential at 0mV with APV) to EPSC (holding potential at -60mV) (IPSC/EPSC ratio). IPSC/EPSC ratio of 2days VD and 7days VD were significantly higher than Intact (Intact: n = 10, 2days VD: n = 11, 7days VD: n = 12. *, p < 0.05, ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc analyses. Error bars, ±SEM). (C) (Left) Evoked miniature IPSC (mIPSC) responses at layer 2/3-2/3 synapses in the barrel cortex of Intact, 2days VD or 7days VD (holding potential at -75mV with CNQX). (Right) Mean amplitude of evoked mIPSCs. 2days VD and 7days VD exhibited the increased amplitude of evoked mIPSCs compared to Intact (Intact: n = 7, 2days VD: n = 8, 7days VD: n = 8. *, p < 0.05, ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc analyses. Error bars, ±SEM).