Inhibitory Networks:
Regulating Brain Activity in Health and Disease

Research Overview

Inhibitory neurons represent only a small minority of the cells in the cortex; however, their influence over excitatory populations is critical. Through synaptic GABA release, inhibitory neurons help to supress abberant firing patterns among excitatory neuron populations. In doing so, these networks are able to coordinate distinct patterns of neuronal activation under distinct conditions.

The regulatory function of inhibitory networks is incredibly important across the brain, evident by several key characteristics of these cell populations. Firstly, inhibitory regulation can be observed even during the earliest stages of neuronal development. At these stages, tight regulation of excitatory neuronss by inhibitory circuits promotes the development of physiological excitatory networks. Secondly, inhibitory networks are both remarkably dynamic and redundant. In cases wherein the activity of excitatory neuron populations changes suddenly, certain populations of inhibitory neurons are remarkably adept at adapting to these changes, while other populations remain stable to minimize the risk of overcompensation. Third, in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, compromised function of inhibitory networks often coincides with more rapid degeneration.

A key objective of my research is understanding the mechanisms underlying the development, plasticity, and deterioration of inhibitory networks across the brain. In doing so, I hope to be able to apply what we learn about the establishment of healthy inhibitory networks to models of neurodegenerative disease with the goal of improving how network dysfunction is treated in these conditions.

Acknowledgement