Objective This study aims to investigate the expression of Neuritin mRNA and protein in the visual cortex of normal (N90), monocularly deprived (MD) and reverse suture (RS) adult rats, explore whether the visual cortex of adult rats still remain the plasticity. 
Methods It was an experimental research.The monoculardeprivation (MD) animal models were established in the right eyes of 60 postnatalday 14 (P14) Wistar rats by arsorrhaphy to aged 90 postnatal days (P90), and the right eyes were opened and the tarsorrhaphy was performed on the left eyes in 50 P90.model rats(reverse suture, RS). The rats received RS were exposed to light environment for 6, 12, 24, 48 hours and 1 week, respectively. The another 10 matched rats served as the normal control group. The left cerebrum visual cortex in the normal control group and MD group were obtained in aged P90 rats, and those of RS group were acquired in corresponding time points. Expression of the Neuritin mRNA and protein in the visual cortex of rats was detected by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) and immunohistochemistry stain methods.
Result The expression of Neuritin mRNA、protein AOD and the count in the visual cortex of rats from different groups was significantly different (F₁=19.235, F₂=105.57,F₃=15.386;P<0.05). The expression of Neuritin mRNA and protein in the visual cortex of rats in the MD group was considerably lower than that of the normal control group (P<0.05). The expression of Neuritin mRNA and protein in the visual cortex of rats in the RS 6、12、24、48 hours and 1 week group was evidently higher than that in the MD group, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). 
Conclusion The dynamic change of Neuritin mRNA expression in the visual cortex of the MD rats and RS rats indicates that the visual cortex of adult rats with MD beyond the sensitive period of visual development still remain the plasticity to some extent, in order to provide an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of children and adults amblyopia.