Cited by 1,865Memory and Neural MechanismsSpatial Cognition and NavigationNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Perineuronal nets stabilize the grid cell network

Open access
Christensen, Ane Charlotte, Lensjø, Kristian Kinden, Lepperød, Mikkel Elle, Dragly, Svenn-Arne, Sutterud, Halvard, Blackstad, Jan Sigurd, Fyhn, Marianne, Hafting, Torkel·2021·Nature Communications

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Abstract

Grid cells are part of a widespread network which supports navigation and spatial memory. Stable grid patterns appear late in development, in concert with extracellular matrix aggregates termed perineuronal nets (PNNs) that condense around inhibitory neurons. It has been suggested that PNNs stabilize synaptic connections and long-term memories, but their role in the grid cell network remains elusive. We show that removal of PNNs leads to lower inhibitory spiking activity, and reduces grid cells' ability to create stable representations of a novel environment. Furthermore, in animals with disrupted PNNs, exposure to a novel arena corrupted the spatiotemporal relationships within grid cell modules, and the stored representations of a familiar arena. Finally, we show that PNN removal in entorhinal cortex distorted spatial representations in downstream hippocampal neurons. Together this work suggests that PNNs provide a key stabilizing element for the grid cell network.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41467-020-20241-w

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  • In V1 visual cortex, ChABC decreases both excitatory and inhibitory inputs to PV interneurons.

    “and in V1 visual cortex, ChABC decreases both excitatory and inhibitory inputs to PV interneurons [46, 47].”

    From The extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets in memory (2022) · cites this paper as [46]

    In Results, “Degradation of PNNs in MEC” (page unavailable), the paper reports that chABC reduced inhibitory VGAT-positive inputs onto PV+ cells in the medial entorhinal cortex. It does not establish the claimed effect in V1, and it found no significant reduction in excitatory VGLUT1- or VGLUT2-positive inputs. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Both hippocampus and perirhinal cortex are rich in PV interneurons enwrapped with PNNs, and PNNs are also present on some hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

    “Both hippocampus and perirhinal cortex are rich in PV interneurons enwrapped with PNNs, and PNNs are also present on some hippocampal pyramidal neurons [46, 101, 102].”

    From The extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets in memory (2022) · cites this paper as [46]

    The Introduction says PNNs condense around maturing PV+ cells, and the Discussion reports PNNs co-localized with other cell types in hippocampal CA2; its cited reference names CA2 pyramidal neurons. The paper does not establish that the hippocampus and perirhinal cortex are rich in PNN-enwrapped PV interneurons, and it does not discuss the perirhinal cortex. Page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • All social memory associated regions are highly populated with PNN-surrounded PV neurons.

    “All the social memory associated regions are highly populated with PNN-surrounded PV neurons [46, 66, 130, 131].”

    From The extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets in memory (2022) · cites this paper as [46]

    The Results (Degradation of PNNs in MEC, Fig. 1a) report dense PNN expression overlapping with PV-positive neurons in the medial entorhinal cortex, with strong staining also in the parasubiculum. The paper does not identify all social-memory-associated regions or show that they are all highly populated with PNN-surrounded PV neurons; the same figure describes weaker staining in two other regions. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • In the entorhinal cortex, ChABC reduces inhibitory inputs.

    “while in the entorhinal cortex, ChABC reduces inhibitory inputs”

    From The extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets in memory (2022) · cites this paper as [46]

  • Following PNN removal in entorhinal cortex there are distorted spatial representations in downstream hippocampal neurons.

    “Following PNN removal in entorhinal cortex there are distorted spatial representations in downstream hippocampal neurons (Fig. 2C) [46].”

    From The extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets in memory (2022) · cites this paper as [46]

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Authors
Christensen, A. C., Lensjø, K. K., Lepperød, M. E., Dragly, S.-A., Sutterud, H., Blackstad, J. S., Fyhn, M., & Hafting, T.
Affiliations
University of Oslo (NO)
Corresponding author
Hafting, Torkel
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2021-01-11
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
253-253
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3120392574
Cited by
1,865
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 132 · 2025: 277 · 2024: 340 · 2023: 431 · 2022: 499 · 2021: 170 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2
FWCI
189.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Norges Forskningsråd (217920, 231248)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
perineuronal nets, grid cells, extracellular matrix, inhibitory interneurons, spatial memory, navigation, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, synaptic stability
MeSH terms
Grid Cells, Action Potentials, Animals, Computer Simulation, Hippocampus, Male, Models, Neurological, Neurons, Theta Rhythm, Time Factors, Entorhinal Cortex, Rats, Long-Evans, Rats

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