Patterned perturbation of inhibition can reveal the dynamical structure of neural processing

Perturbation of neuronal activity is key to understanding the brain’s functional properties, however, intervention studies typically perturb neurons in a nonspecific manner. Recent optogenetics techniques have enabled patterned perturbations, in which specific patterns of activity can be invoked in identified target neurons to reveal more specific cortical function. Here, we argue that patterned perturbation of neurons is in fact necessary to reveal the specific dynamics of inhibitory stabilization, emerging in cortical networks with strong excitatory and inhibitory functional subnetworks, as recently reported in mouse visual cortex. We propose a specific perturbative signature of these networks and investigate how this can be measured under different experimental conditions. Functionally, rapid spontaneous transitions between selective ensembles of neurons emerge in such networks, consistent with experimental results. Our study outlines the dynamical and functional properties of feature-specific inhibitory-stabilized networks, and suggests experimental protocols that can be used to detect them in the intact cortex.

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Vision and locomotion shape the interactions between neuron types in mouse visual cortex

10.1101/058396 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Mario Dipoppa ◽

Adam Ranson ◽

Michael Krumin ◽

Marius Pachitariu ◽

Matteo Carandini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Cortex ◽

Pyramidal Cells ◽

Cell Types ◽

Synaptic Connectivity ◽

Cortical Function ◽

Cell Responses ◽

Layer 2 ◽

Measured Activity ◽

Sensory Responses ◽

Mouse Visual Cortex

SummaryIn the mouse primary visual cortex (V1), sensory responses are shaped by behavioral factors such as locomotion. These factors are thought to control a disinhibitory circuit, whereby interneurons expressing vasoactive intestinal peptide (Vip) inhibit those expressing somatostatin (Sst), disinhibiting pyramidal cells (Pyr). We measured the effect of locomotion on these neurons and on interneurons expressing parvalbumin (Pvalb) in layer 2/3 of mouse V1, and found in-consistencies with the disinhibitory model. In the presence of large stimuli, locomotion increased Sst cell responses without suppressing Vip cells. In the presence of small stimuli, locomotion increased Vip cell responses without suppressing Sst cells. A circuit model could reproduce each cell type’s activity from the measured activity of other cell types, but only if we allowed locomotion to increase feedforward synaptic weights while modulating recurrent weights. These results suggest that locomotion alters cortical function by changing effective synaptic connectivity, rather than only through disinhibition.

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How Cortical Circuits Implement Cortical Computations: Mouse Visual Cortex as a Model

Annual Review of Neuroscience ◽

10.1146/annurev-neuro-102320-085825 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cristopher M. Niell ◽

Massimo Scanziani

Keyword(s):

Visual Cortex ◽

Cortical Neurons ◽

Model Organism ◽

Annual Review ◽

Publication Date ◽

Cortical Circuits ◽

Cortical Function ◽

Mouse Visual Cortex ◽

The Brain ◽

Insight Into

The mouse, as a model organism to study the brain, gives us unprecedented experimental access to the mammalian cerebral cortex. By determining the cortex's cellular composition, revealing the interaction between its different components, and systematically perturbing these components, we are obtaining mechanistic insight into some of the most basic properties of cortical function. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of how circuits of cortical neurons implement computations, as revealed by the study of mouse primary visual cortex. Further, we discuss how studying the mouse has broadened our understanding of the range of computations performed by visual cortex. Finally, we address how future approaches will fulfill the promise of the mouse in elucidating fundamental operations of cortex. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Neuroscience, Volume 44 is July 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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The Effect of Inclusion Criteria on the Functional Properties Reported in Mouse Visual Cortex

eNeuro ◽

10.1523/eneuro.0188-20.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. ENEURO.0188-20.2021

Author(s):

Natalia Mesa ◽

Jack Waters ◽

Saskia E. J. de Vries

Keyword(s):

Visual Cortex ◽

Functional Properties ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Mouse Visual Cortex

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Spatial modulation of dark versus bright stimulus responses in mouse visual cortex

10.1101/2020.10.27.353573 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Brice Williams ◽

Joseph Del Rosario ◽

Stefano Coletta ◽

Edyta K. Bichler ◽

Tomaso Muzzu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Cortex ◽

Membrane Potential ◽

Field Potential ◽

Visual Space ◽

Spatial Modulation ◽

Single Neurons ◽

Central Visual Field ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽

Mouse Visual Cortex

AbstractA fundamental task of the visual system is to respond to luminance increments and decrements. In primary visual cortex (V1) of cats and primates, luminance decrements elicit stronger, faster, and more salient neural activity (OFF responses) than luminance increments (ON responses). However, studies of V1 in ferrets and mice show that ON responses may be stronger. These discrepancies may arise from differences in species, experimental conditions, or from measuring responses in single neurons versus populations. Here, we examined OFF versus ON responses across different regions of visual space in both single neurons and populations of mouse V1. We used high-density silicon probes and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to assess OFF versus ON dominance in local field potential (LFP), single neuron, and membrane potential responses. Across these levels, we found that OFF responses clearly dominated in the central visual field, whereas ON responses were more evident in the periphery. These observations were clearest in LFP and subthreshold membrane potential. Our findings consolidate and resolve prior conflicting results and reveal that retinotopy may provide a common organizing principle for spatially biasing OFF versus ON processing in mammalian visual systems.

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H3 and H4 Lysine Acetylation Correlates with Developmental and Experimentally Induced Adult Experience-Dependent Plasticity in the Mouse Visual Cortex

Journal of Experimental Neuroscience ◽

10.4137/jen.s39888 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10s1 ◽

pp. JEN.S39888 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gabriela Vierci ◽

Bruno Pannunzio ◽

Natalia Bornia ◽

Francesco M. Rossi

Keyword(s):

Visual Cortex ◽

Posttranslational Modifications ◽

Visual Experience ◽

High Plasticity ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Dynamic Regulation ◽

Dependent Plasticity ◽

Fluoxetine Treatment ◽

Mouse Visual Cortex ◽

Adult Plasticity

Histone posttranslational modifications play a fundamental role in orchestrating gene expression. In this work, we analyzed the acetylation of H3 and H4 histones (AcH3-AcH4) and its modulation by visual experience in the mouse visual cortex (VC) during normal development and in two experimental conditions that restore juvenile-like plasticity levels in adults (fluoxetine treatment and enriched environment). We found that AcH3-AcH4 declines with age and is upregulated by treatments restoring plasticity in the adult. We also found that visual experience modulates AcH3-AcH4 in young and adult plasticity-restored mice but not in untreated ones. Finally, we showed that the transporter vGAT is downregulated in adult plasticity-restored models. In summary, we identified a dynamic regulation of AcH3-AcH4, which is associated with high plasticity levels and enhanced by visual experience. These data, along with recent ones, indicate H3-H4 acetylation as a central hub in the control of experience-dependent plasticity in the VC.

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