Ocular dominance plasticity (ODP) refers to the ability of the visual cortex to change its response to visual input based on experience. Monocular visual deprivation (MD) causes a shift in ocular dominance, with responses shifting from the deprived eye to the open eye. Two theories have been proposed to explain this shift: one involving changes in excitatory inputs and the other involving changes in inhibitory inputs. Recent studies suggest that both excitatory and inhibitory networks are involved in ODP. In mice, brief MD leads to a shift in ocular dominance, with responses becoming more binocular. However, in some cases, responses become biased toward the deprived eye. This suggests that inhibitory networks may play a role in shaping the response to MD. Studies using calcium imaging in mice have shown that both excitatory and inhibitory neurons can be affected by MD. However, some findings contradict these results, suggesting that differences in experimental methods and animal models may contribute to discrepancies. A recent study by Yazaki-Sugiyama et al. used intracellular recordings to examine the effects of MD on inhibitory neurons. They found that MD can cause a shift in ocular dominance in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. However, their findings are not easily reconciled with other recent results, suggesting that further research is needed to clarify the role of inhibitory networks in ODP. The study also highlights the importance of considering the developmental stage of the animal when examining the effects of MD. In juvenile mice, MD can cause a shift in ocular dominance, but this effect is less pronounced in adult mice. This suggests that the visual cortex is more plastic during development. Overall, the study suggests that both excitatory and inhibitory networks are involved in ODP, and that the relative contribution of each may depend on the developmental stage and the specific experimental conditions. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying ODP and the role of inhibitory networks in this process.Ocular dominance plasticity (ODP) refers to the ability of the visual cortex to change its response to visual input based on experience. Monocular visual deprivation (MD) causes a shift in ocular dominance, with responses shifting from the deprived eye to the open eye. Two theories have been proposed to explain this shift: one involving changes in excitatory inputs and the other involving changes in inhibitory inputs. Recent studies suggest that both excitatory and inhibitory networks are involved in ODP. In mice, brief MD leads to a shift in ocular dominance, with responses becoming more binocular. However, in some cases, responses become biased toward the deprived eye. This suggests that inhibitory networks may play a role in shaping the response to MD. Studies using calcium imaging in mice have shown that both excitatory and inhibitory neurons can be affected by MD. However, some findings contradict these results, suggesting that differences in experimental methods and animal models may contribute to discrepancies. A recent study by Yazaki-Sugiyama et al. used intracellular recordings to examine the effects of MD on inhibitory neurons. They found that MD can cause a shift in ocular dominance in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. However, their findings are not easily reconciled with other recent results, suggesting that further research is needed to clarify the role of inhibitory networks in ODP. The study also highlights the importance of considering the developmental stage of the animal when examining the effects of MD. In juvenile mice, MD can cause a shift in ocular dominance, but this effect is less pronounced in adult mice. This suggests that the visual cortex is more plastic during development. Overall, the study suggests that both excitatory and inhibitory networks are involved in ODP, and that the relative contribution of each may depend on the developmental stage and the specific experimental conditions. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying ODP and the role of inhibitory networks in this process.