The claustrum coordinates cortical slow-wave activity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience

Background:

• Neocortical slow-wave (SW) activity is generated during sleep and awake rest.
• The precise mechanisms coordinating large-scale SW generation remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the claustrum in coordinating neocortical SW activity.
• To elucidate the function of a specific subpopulation of claustral glutamatergic neurons.

Main Methods:

• Established a transgenic mouse line for genetic interrogation of claustral glutamatergic neurons.
• Utilized in vitro and in vivo optogenetics to stimulate and ablate claustral neurons.
• Recorded neuronal activity and postsynaptic responses in neocortical areas.

Main Results:

• Claustral glutamatergic neurons project to and receive input from widespread neocortical areas.
• Claustral neuronal firing correlates with cortical SW activity.
• Optogenetic stimulation induced synchronized neural silencing and down-to-up state transitions in the cortex.
• Genetic ablation of claustral neurons attenuated frontal cortical SW activity.

Conclusions:

• The claustrum plays a crucial role in coordinating neocortical SW activity.
• Claustral neurons synchronize inhibitory interneurons across cortical areas for spatiotemporal coordination of SWs.