Neuron
Volume 80, Issue 4, 20 November 2013, Pages 1066-1076
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Article
Optogenetic Activation of an Inhibitory Network Enhances Feedforward Functional Connectivity in Auditory Cortex

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2013.08.017Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Ising models recover known canonical circuit connectivity in the auditory cortex

  • PV+ neuron activity increases functional connectivity in cortical columns

  • PV+ neuron activity does not change horizontal connectivity in cortical layers

  • PV+ neuron activity may increase bottom-up sensory input for perception

Summary

The mammalian neocortex is a highly interconnected network of different types of neurons organized into both layers and columns. Overlaid on this structural organization is a pattern of functional connectivity that can be rapidly and flexibly altered during behavior. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) inhibitory neurons, which are implicated in cortical oscillations and can change neuronal selectivity, may play a pivotal role in these dynamic changes. We found that optogenetic activation of PV+ neurons in the auditory cortex enhanced feedforward functional connectivity in the putative thalamorecipient circuit and in cortical columnar circuits. In contrast, stimulation of PV+ neurons induced no change in connectivity between sites in the same layers. The activity of PV+ neurons may thus serve as a gating mechanism to enhance feedforward, but not lateral or feedback, information flow in cortical circuits. Functionally, it may preferentially enhance the contribution of bottom-up sensory inputs to perception.

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