The plasticitome of cortical interneurons

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cellular Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience

Background:

• Hebb's theory posits excitatory neuron assemblies store information via synaptic plasticity.
• The role of inhibitory interneurons in plasticity was historically unclear, with some suggesting they lack plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review diverse forms of long-term plasticity in cortical inhibitory interneurons.
• To introduce the concept of the 'plasticitome' for classifying interneuron plasticity.
• To explore implications of interneuron plasticity for brain function and neuropathology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of recent studies on interneuron plasticity.
• Discussion of plasticity mechanisms, including intrinsic excitability and homeostatic plasticity.
• Introduction of new terminology and definitions for interneuron plasticity.

Main Results:

• Inhibitory interneurons demonstrate various forms of long-term synaptic plasticity, contrary to previous assumptions.
• Plasticity occurs at both inputs to and outputs from inhibitory interneurons.
• Diverse plasticity rules in interneurons are best understood within a circuit-level context.

Conclusions:

• Interneuron plasticity is a widespread phenomenon essential for healthy brain function.
• Understanding interneuron plasticity is key to addressing neuropathologies.
• The 'plasticitome' concept provides a framework for organizing the diverse plasticity mechanisms in inhibitory interneurons.