Target-Specific Effects of Somatostatin-Expressing Interneurons on Neocortical Visual Processing

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2624-13.2013
• Publication Date: 2013-12-11T17:39:36Z
• Authors: James C. H. Cottam; Spencer L. Smith; Michael Häusser
• Keywords: Interneuron; Neocortex; Pyramidal cell

A diverse array of interneuron types regulates activity in the mammalian neocortex. Two most abundant are fast-spiking, parvalbumin-positive (PV + ) interneurons, which target axosomatic region pyramidal cells, and somatostatin-positive (SOM dendrites. Recent work has focused on influence PV SOM interneurons cells. However, connections among poorly understood could play an important role cortical circuitry, since their interactions may alter net cell output. We used optogenetic approach to investigate effect cells during visual stimulation mouse primary cortex. find that activation suppresses spiking at least twice as potently stimulation. This differential is detectable even when only two three activated. Importantly, remaining responses oriented gratings more orientation tuned temporally modulated, suggesting unmasks this tuning by suppressing untuned input. Our results highlight importance inhibition sensory processing. prominent competitive between leads a reconfiguration along somatodendritic axis enhances selectivity