Reviewer 1's Review

“This is an excellent study addressing a very important question about the effects of homeostatic plasticity in vivo. Slow homeostatic changes of neuronal excitability triggered by a chronic increase or decrease (blockade) of activity has drawn considerable attention recently due to its potentially significant role in maintaining the baseline level of activity in neural circuits despite global state changes. Several studies have proposed that homeostatic plasticity may also contribute to the development of paroxysmal states such as epilepsy. However, the main volume of related data has been collected in culture or in vivo. The present work shows that while the overall direction of homeostatic changes triggered by activity blockage in vivo is in agreement with in vitro results, there are some important differences. Most notable among these differences is the lack of downregulation of inhibitory events.

The paper is written very clearly, the figures are informative, the description of the experimental techniques is extensive and the results are followed by an interesting and informative discussion.”

N.B. These are the general comments made by the reviewer when reviewing this paper in light of which the manuscript was revised. Specific points addressed during revision of the paper are not shown.