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Synaptic transmission

Releasing the brakes

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 14, pages 820–821 (2013)Cite this article

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In the cortex, VIP interneurons synapse mostly onto somatostatin (SOM)-expressing and a portion of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons that inhibit pyramidal cells. Pi et al. selectively expressed the light-activated cation channel channelrhodopsin 2 in VIP interneurons. Brief light stimulation of these neurons decreased firing in other interneurons but increased firing in pyramidal cells in both the auditory cortex (AC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Further analysis revealed a temporal sequence of excitation followed by inhibition and then excitation — a classic signature of disinhibition. Furthermore, photoactivation of VIP neurons in brain slices evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents in SOM and PV neurons in the AC and mPFC and enhanced FOS expression (a marker of neuronal activity) in pyramidal cells in the mPFC.

Further analysis revealed a temporal sequence of excitation followed by inhibition and then excitation — a classic signature of disinhibition

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References

  1. Pi, H.-J. et al. Cortical interneurons that specialize in disinhibitory control. Nature http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature12676 (2013)

  2. Lee, S. et al. A disinhibitory circuit mediates motor integration in the somatosensory cortex. Nature Neurosci. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nn.3544 (2013)

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Authors
  1. Sian Lewis
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Lewis, S. Releasing the brakes. Nat Rev Neurosci 14, 820–821 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3629

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