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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

Published on: August 2, 2017

VIP interneuron activity during sleep conveys the cortical infraslow oscillation.

Kilian Rolle¹, Louisa Weber¹, Jan Born²

¹Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076 BW, Germany.

|December 12, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) interneurons show unique infraslow rhythms during sleep. These VIP cell dynamics are linked to sleep spindles, suggesting a key role in memory consolidation.

Keywords:

CP: neuroscience GCaMP8m VIP interneurons calcium imaging cortical circuits disinhibition infraslow rhythm sleep slow oscillation spindles two-photon

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Sleep Research
Cellular Neuroscience

Background:

Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, involving specific cortical circuit regulation.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-positive interneurons modulate cortical activity by inhibiting other interneurons, disinhibiting pyramidal cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the activity patterns of layer 2/3 VIP interneurons during different sleep stages (SWS, REM) and oscillations (spindles, SOs) in mice.
To explore the role of VIP interneurons in regulating infraslow brain rhythms during sleep.

Main Methods:

In vivo two-photon calcium imaging in naturally sleeping male mice.
Quantification of VIP interneuron activity across wake, SWS, REM sleep, spindles, and slow oscillations (SOs).

Main Results:

VIP interneuron activity was lowest during SWS and increased during spindles and SOs.
A consistent infraslow (∼0.02-Hz) rhythm was observed in VIP activity across all states.
This VIP infraslow rhythm was inversely phase-coupled to spindle activity during SWS, a pattern not seen in SST or PV interneurons.

Conclusions:

VIP interneurons exhibit unique infraslow oscillatory dynamics during sleep.
These VIP cell dynamics are specifically coupled to sleep spindles, suggesting a distinct regulatory role in cortical circuits.
VIP interneurons may uniquely facilitate memory processing through infraslow spindle-related regulation during sleep.