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Author Spotlight: Unveiling Neural Coding and Mechanisms of Visual Processing in the Superior Colliculus
Published on: April 21, 2023
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Parvalbumin and GABA Microcircuits in the Mouse Superior Colliculus
Claudio A Villalobos1, Qiong Wu1, Psyche H Lee1
1Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences - Department of Neurobiology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|May 22, 2018
Summary
Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) exhibit diverse functions. These neurons co-express gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and participate in complex inhibitory and excitatory circuits within the SC.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- The mammalian superior colliculus (SC) is a crucial midbrain structure for sensorimotor processing and orienting behaviors.
- Understanding the intrinsic microcircuitry of the SC, particularly the role of specific neuronal subtypes, remains incomplete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the co-expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in parvalbumin-positive (PV+) neurons within the superior colliculus (SC).
- To elucidate the functional roles and circuit properties of PV+ neurons in the SC.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transgenic mice with reporter genes for PV+ and GABA+ neurons.
- Employed electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic stimulation techniques.
- Analyzed neuronal spiking patterns and synaptic responses.
Main Results:
- PV+ neurons were more numerous in the superficial SC, but a higher percentage co-expressed GABA in the intermediate SC.
- PV+/GABA+ neurons displayed distinct, rapidly inactivating spiking patterns compared to other PV+ neurons.
- Optogenetic activation revealed both GABAergic inhibitory and glutamatergic excitatory synaptic inputs onto and from PV+ neurons.
Conclusions:
- SC PV+ neurons are not a homogeneous GABAergic subtype but exhibit functional specialization.
- These neurons likely play diverse roles in SC circuit function, integrating inhibitory and excitatory signaling.
- The findings challenge the conventional view of PV+ neurons as solely inhibitory interneurons in this brain region.
Keywords:
GABAergic neuronsattentionmouseoptogeneticsorienting movementsparvalbuminsuperior colliculus (SC)More Related Videos
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