Abstract
Neocortical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing interneurons are a subclass of vasoactive intestinal peptide (ChAT-VIP) neurons of which circuit and behavioural function are unknown. Here, we show that ChAT-VIP neurons directly excite neighbouring neurons in several layers through fast synaptic transmission of acetylcholine (ACh) in rodent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Both interneurons in layers (L)1–3 as well as pyramidal neurons in L2/3 and L6 receive direct inputs from ChAT-VIP neurons mediated by fast cholinergic transmission. A fraction (10–20%) of postsynaptic neurons that received cholinergic input from ChAT-VIP interneurons also received GABAergic input from these neurons. In contrast to regular VIP interneurons, ChAT-VIP neurons did not disinhibit pyramidal neurons. Finally, we show that activity of these neurons is relevant for behaviour and they control attention behaviour distinctly from basal forebrain ACh inputs. Thus, ChAT-VIP neurons are a local source of cortical ACh that directly excite neurons throughout cortical layers and contribute to attention.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 5280 |
| Journal | Nature Communications |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2019 |
Funding
We thank J.N. Vaiña, MSc, for excellent technical assistance, and Dr. K. Deisseroth for the generous sharing of tools and ChAT-cre rats. H.D.M. received funding for this work from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO; VICI grant 865.13.002), ERC StG “BrainSignals,” EU H2020 Framework Programme (Grant Agreement H2020 HBP 720270), and European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under the Specific Grant Agreement No. 785907 (Human Brain Project SGA2) and EraNet Neuron/NWO. C.P.J.d.K. received funding for this work from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO ALW #822.02.013).
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| EraNet Neuron/NWO | |
| Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research | |
| Seventh Framework Programme | |
| European Commission | |
| NWO ALW | |
| H2020 European Research Council | |
| ERC StG | |
| Horizon 2020 Framework Programme | SGA2, 785907, 281443, 720270 |
| ???publication-publication-funding-organisation-not-added??? | 822.02.013 |
| EU H2020 Framework Programme | H2020 HBP 720270 |
| VICI | 865.13.002 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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