Parvalbumin neurons and gamma rhythms enhance cortical circuit performance

Vikaas S. Sohal, Feng Zhang, Ofer Yizhar and Karl Deisseroth ()
Additional contact information
Vikaas S. Sohal: W083 Clark Center, 318 Campus Drive West, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Feng Zhang: W083 Clark Center, 318 Campus Drive West, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Ofer Yizhar: W083 Clark Center, 318 Campus Drive West, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Karl Deisseroth: W083 Clark Center, 318 Campus Drive West, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA

Nature, 2009, vol. 459, issue 7247, 698-702

Abstract: Sensory transmission Gamma oscillations, synchronous activity rhythms in the neuronal network measured between 20 and 80 Hz, are active during information processing and attention, and are dysregulated in schizophrenia. What induces this activity band has been the subject of speculation and theory. Two papers in this issue report the use of cell-type-targeted optogenetic technologies to test the currently favoured theory — that these oscillations are generated by synchronous activity of fast-spiking (FS) interneurons, also known as parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. The results suggest that the theory is correct. Cardin et al. show that a gamma state can be driven by specific activation of FS interneurons in vivo, and that sensory input relative to these oscillations can determine the extent of evoked cortical activity. Sohal et al. report empirical evidence for the involvement of specific activation of FS interneurons in the production of gamma oscillations, and their data too suggest that gamma-based modulation of excitatory cells may enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in circuits.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07991

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