Division of labor among distinct subtypes of inhibitory neurons in a cortical microcircuit of working memory.
A conspicuous feature of cortical organization is the wide diversity of inhibitory interneurons; their differential computational functions remain unclear. Here we propose a local cortical circuit in which three major subtypes of interneurons play distinct roles. In a model designed for spatial working memory, stimulus tuning of persistent activity arises from the concerted action of widespread inhibition mediated by perisoma-targeting (parvalbumin-containing) interneurons and localized disinhibition of pyramidal cells via interneuron-targeting (calretinin-containing) interneurons. Moreover, resistance against distracting stimuli (a fundamental property of working memory) is dynamically controlled by dendrite-targeting (calbindin-containing) interneurons. The experimental observation of inverted tuning curves of monkey prefrontal neurons recorded during working memory supports a key model prediction. This work suggests a framework for understanding the division of labor and cooperation among different inhibitory cell types in a recurrent cortical circuit.
Wang
X-J
XJ
Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02254, USA. xjwang@brandeis.edu
Tegnér
J
J
Constantinidis
C
C
Goldman-Rakic
P S
PS
D000818:Animals; D064032:Calbindin 2; D064026:Calbindins; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000032:analysis
D064032:Calbindin 2; D064026:Calbindins; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G