Cited by 568Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchVisual perception and processing mechanismsNeural dynamics and brain function

Division and subtraction by distinct cortical inhibitory networks in vivo

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Wilson, Nathan R., Runyan, Caroline A., Wang, Forea L., Sur, Mriganka·2012·Nature

Abstract

Brain circuits process information through specialized neuronal subclasses interacting within a network. Revealing their interplay requires activating specific cells while monitoring others in a functioning circuit. Here we use a new platform for two-way light-based circuit interrogation in visual cortex in vivo to show the computational implications of modulating different subclasses of inhibitory neurons during sensory processing. We find that soma-targeting, parvalbumin-expressing (PV) neurons principally divide responses but preserve stimulus selectivity, whereas dendrite-targeting, somatostatin-expressing (SOM) neurons principally subtract from excitatory responses and sharpen selectivity. Visualized in vivo cell-attached recordings show that division by PV neurons alters response gain, whereas subtraction by SOM neurons shifts response levels. Finally, stimulating identified neurons while scanning many target cells reveals that single PV and SOM neurons functionally impact only specific subsets of neurons in their projection fields. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibitory neuronal subclasses have distinct and complementary roles in cortical computations.

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  • Some studies found that Sst interneurons sharpen orientation tuning, while activating PV interneurons has a minor effect on tuning but changes response gain.

    “Some studies found that Sst INs sharpen orientation tuning (Wilson et al., 2012), while activation of PV INs was found to have a minor effect on tuning but changed response gain”

    From GABAergic Interneurons in the Neocortex: From Cellular Properties to Circuits (2016) · cites this paper as Wilson et al., 2012

  • Optogenetic manipulations of interneurons provide evidence of cell type-specific effects of inhibitory interneurons on gain regulation.

    “Optogenetic manipulations of interneurons provide evidence of cell type-specific effects of inhibitory interneurons on gain regulation2,68,104,105,107.”

    From Mechanisms underlying gain modulation in the cortex (2020) · cites this paper as [104]

  • GABAergic inhibition controls the sensitivity of V1 neurons in rodents and cats by specifically adjusting their response gain without altering local selectivity or input gain.

    “GABAergic inhibition controls the sensitivity of V1 neurons in rodents and cats by specifically adjusting their response gain without altering local selectivity or input gain2,68,69,101–104.”

    From Mechanisms underlying gain modulation in the cortex (2020) · cites this paper as [104]

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Authors
Wilson, N. R., Runyan, C. A., Wang, F. L., & Sur, M.
Affiliations
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
Corresponding author
  • Wilson, Nathan R.
  • Sur, Mriganka
Venue
Nature
Published
2012-08-08
Volume
488
Issue
7411
Pages
343-348
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2124196462
Cited by
568
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 50 · 2013: 56 · 2012: 4
FWCI
20.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DSpace@MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • PMC
Funders
National Eye Institute (R01EY018648, R01EY007023)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
Keywords
parvalbumin interneurons, somatostatin interneurons, inhibitory interneurons, visual cortex, stimulus selectivity, cortical circuits
MeSH terms
Animals, Dendrites, Electrophysiology, Interneurons, Models, Neurological, Neural Inhibition, Neural Pathways, Neurons, Parvalbumins, Somatostatin, Visual Cortex, Mice

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