Basic architecture of inhibitory neuron circuit in the neocortex

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24500408
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Nerve anatomy/Neuropathology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: HIOKI Hiroyuki 京都大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (00402850)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 抑制性神経細胞 / シナプス結合 / 大脳新皮質 / 遺伝子改変マウス / ウイルスベクター / 普遍性 / 特異性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed excitatory and inhibitory inputs to parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex. Corticocortical excitatory inputs were more frequently found on the distal dendrites than on the soma, whereas thalamocortical inputs did not differ between the proximal and distal portions. Corticocortical inhibitory inputs were more densely distributed on the soma than on the dendrites. We further revealed that the somatic and dendritic compartments principally received GABAergic inputs from vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-positive and PV neurons, respectively. This compartmental organization suggests that PV neurons communicate with each other mainly via the dendrites, and that their activity is effectively controlled by the somatic inputs of VIP neurons. These findings provide new insights into the neuronal circuits involving PV neurons, and contribute to a better understanding of brain functions and mental disorders.

Free Research Field

神経解剖学