Distinct Roles of Parvalbumin- and Somatostatin-Expressing Neurons in Flexible Representation of Task Variables in the Prefrontal Cortex
48 Pages Posted: 4 Dec 2019 Publication Status: Review Complete
More...Abstract
A hallmark of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is flexible representation of task-relevant variables. To investigate roles of different interneuron subtypes in this process, we examined discharge characteristics and inactivation effects of parvalbumin (PV)- and somatostatin (SOM)-expressing neurons in the mouse PFC during probabilistic classical conditioning. We found activity patterns and inactivation effects differed between PV and SOM neurons: SOM neurons conveyed cue-associated quantitative value signals until trial outcome, whereas PV neurons maintained valence signals even after trial outcome. Also, PV, but not SOM, neurons showed homogeneous bidirectional responses to reward and punishment. Moreover, inactivation of PV, but not SOM, neurons affected outcome responses and activity reversal of pyramidal neurons. Modeling suggested bidirectional outcome responses of PV neurons as an efficient mechanism for facilitating rapid cue-outcome contingency learning. Our results suggest primary roles of mPFC PV neurons in rapid value updating and SOM neurons in signaling values of upcoming events.
Keywords: Medial prefrontal cortex, flexibility, Inhibitory neuron, value, Classical Conditioning, mouse
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