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Prefrontal cortical ChAT-VIP interneurons provide local excitation by cholinergic synaptic transmission and control attention

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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 languageEnglish
Article number5280
JournalNature Communications
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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).

FundersFunder 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 ProgrammeSGA2, 785907, 281443, 720270
???publication-publication-funding-organisation-not-added???822.02.013
EU H2020 Framework ProgrammeH2020 HBP 720270
VICI865.13.002

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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