Grant: Operating Grant

GABAergic interneurons are the major inhibitory cells in the brain and they play a crucial role in controlling the excitability of projection cells in neuronal networks. They are multiple types of inhibitory interneurons which regulate neuronal activity in distinct ways. They are essential for normal brain function and are implicated in many CNS disorders, including epilepsy, autism, Rett syndrome, anxiety disorder, Tourette syndrome, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. However the distinct role of the different subtypes of inhibitory interneurons has been difficult to define because of the large diversity of cell types. The hippocampus is an excellent model system to determine the role of inhibitory interneurons in cortical networks because of its highly ordered and well-defined anatomical architecture. We propose to take advantage of new transgenic mice and molecular biological approaches that allow manipulations specifically in certain subtypes of interneurons. We will build on our previous work and carry out a comprehensive study of the function of identified GABA interneuron in the hippocampal network underlying memory consolidation. Identifying and elucidating the network contributions of identified interneurons will shed new light on the inhibitory control of neuronal networks in the brain at the molecular, cellular, network and system levels. These are necessary first steps in developing new approaches to tackle the important health problems associated with CNS disorders implicating GABAergic interneurons.