All vertebrate #brains have #parvalbumin #interneurons, but in mammals they play a critical role in the function of the #cortex. @ellie_bucher‘s debut paper in Brain Structure and Function surveys the field to tell this emerging and exciting story. rdcu.be/cni5M
Parvalbumin equips these #neurons for sustained fast firing, synchronizing large areas of cortex to focus attention. Linked in vast networks which buzz with gamma #oscillations, their outputs target cell bodies and axons of principal neurons to control their interactions.
Uniquely among interneurons, #perineuronal nets and #myelin anchor and stabilise the cell bodies and axons of basket cells, tightly regulating #plasticity to bind their networks into functional structures after critical periods pass.
These neurons are packed with mitochondria to support their high energy, sustained activity. Although under 10% of the cortical population, their activity is a major, and perhaps the main, contributor to energy demands detected by #fMRI scans of #brain activity.
By the way this is a bit of continuity - the rough-looking red (PV) / green (neurofilament) images are mine from 20 years ago in the rat cortex. The magenta (PV) / green (WFA) one is @ellie_bucher's from the new paper!
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