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Cortical VIP+ /ChAT+ interneurons: From genetics to function
Amir Dudai1, Nadav Yayon2, Hermona Soreq2
1The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), The Department of Neurobiology, The Life Sciences Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Neurochemistry
|December 10, 2020
Summary
This review details vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)+ /choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)+ interneurons, rare cortical neurons co-releasing GABA and ACh. We explore their properties and potential circuit amplification mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Neuroscience
- Circuit Neuroscience
Background:
- Understanding neuronal circuit function is crucial for neuroscience.
- Identifying neuronal types and their interactions is key to circuit analysis.
- Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)+ /choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)+ interneurons are a rare class of cortical neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review of VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons.
- To discuss their genetic, physiological, and structural properties.
- To examine their role in cortical microcircuits and potential amplification mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons.
- Analysis of genetic profiles, including GABA and ACh release.
- Examination of input-output mapping in sensory cortices and mPFC.
Main Results:
- VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons co-express markers suggesting GABA and ACh release.
- These neurons are sparse (0.5% of cortical neurons), raising questions about their functional impact.
- Recent genetic techniques allow for direct manipulation and study of these interneurons.
Conclusions:
- VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons possess unique properties due to co-release of GABA and ACh.
- Further research is needed to understand their amplification mechanisms and function in behavior.
- Comparing VIP+/ChAT+ and VIP+/ChAT- populations will clarify their distinct roles.
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