Sex- and hormone-dependent recruitment of inhibitory neurons in rodent sensory cortex

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GABAergic neurons form an important subset of the neuronal population in the brain, which powerfully control the dynamics of brain circuits. The complexity of brain circuitry and the non-homogeneity of the GABAergic cell population has so far made the study of how these neurons develop and form synaptic connections very difficult. We have recently developed techniques to label and manipulate parvalbumin positive GABAergic cells (PV cells), which constitute the most numerous types of cortical GABAergic neurons. PV cells form dense axonal arborisations that innervate hundreds of target neurons, each with multiple, clustered synapses onto their soma and proximal dendrites. Such precise subcellular location of PV cell synapses in conjunction with their striking ability to fire sustained trains of brief action potentials at remarkably high frequency, allows them to powerfully control the output of their target cells and influence large network activities in the brain. In particular, PV cell activity can modulate how an individual perceives and interprets the sensory information coming from their environment (sensory perception). My long-term goal is to understand the mechanisms underlying the formation and function of cortical PV cells and how, in turn, PV cells regulate brain functions. Sensory perception is modulated by gonadal hormones in mammals. For example, sensory perception is altered in subtle ways during the menstrual cycle in women. Whether and how gonadal hormones regulate PV cell activity, and in turn, sensory perception, is unclear. This question will be the focus of this research program. The results of this research will shed light on the cellular mechanisms underlying sex- and hormones-dependent differences in sensory perception. The multidisciplinary core of the proposed approaches will provide excellent training opportunities for HQPs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.