Summary: A new investigation reveals how interneurons, brain cells that control the fire of other neurons, work as customers controllers in the amygdala, a region crucial for learning and memory. Experts found that activating a second interneuron triggered synchronized mind body activity during rest, possibly aiding memory development.
This breakthrough highlights how interneurons impact mind rhythms and suggests their function may lead to disorders like seizures, autism, and schizophrenia. These observations could lead to targeted treatments for neurological problems linked to abnormal mental rhythms.
Important Facts:
- Activating a solitary interneuron causes synchronized brain cell action.
- Cells control mental patterns crucial for learning and memory.
- Findings may tell treatments for seizures, adhd, and schizophrenia.
Origin: Durham University
A study led by Dr. Marco Bocchio in the Durham University Department of Psychology reveals how certain brain cells called neurons can work as our in-built customers devices.
The results are published in the journal PLOS Biology.
The study opens up potential prospect remedies for neurological problems by understanding how these brain cells talk. Until then, it was vague how individual interneurons help to larger patterns of brain activity.
Cells work a little like the brain’s visitors controllers where they control the fire of another brain cells, acting like a powerful brake system.
This command is important because when interneurons behave differently, it may contribute to cerebral conditions like seizures, autism, and psychosis.
The group studied cells in mice and looked at a mental area crucial for learning and storage within the brain. They used advanced mental scanning and light-activated body techniques.
During quiet, pleasant times, they found that activating a second interneuron triggered a coordinated response across different mind cells—a quick burst of synchronized brain activity. This happened without disturbing the existing organization of the brain cells.
Activating a single interneuron weakened the brain’s “stop” signals which then allowed groups of brain cells to fire together. These synchronized brain cell activities might help with forming new memories or processing past experiences.
This discovery offers valuable insights into how our brain is organized and suggests that targeting interneurons could one day help treat disorders linked to pathological brain rhythms.
About this learning and memory research news
Author: Marco Bocchio
Source: Durham University
Contact: Marco Bocchio – Durham University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Functional networks of inhibitory neurons orchestrate synchrony in the hippocampus ” by Marco Bocchio et al. PLOS Biology
Abstract
Functional networks of inhibitory neurons orchestrate synchrony in the hippocampus
Inhibitory interneurons are pivotal components of cortical circuits. Beyond providing inhibition, they have been proposed to coordinate the firing of excitatory neurons within cell assemblies.
While the roles of specific interneuron subtypes have been extensively studied, their influence on pyramidal cell synchrony in vivo remains elusive.
Employing an all-optical approach in mice, we simultaneously recorded hippocampal interneurons and pyramidal cells and probed the network influence of individual interneurons using optogenetics.
We demonstrate that CA1 interneurons form a functionally interconnected network that promotes synchrony through disinhibition during awake immobility, while preserving endogenous cell assemblies.
Our network model underscores the importance of both cell assemblies and dense, unspecific interneuron connectivity in explaining our experimental findings, suggesting that interneurons may operate not only via division of labor but also through concerted activity.
