Interneurons of the neocortical inhibitory system

Nat Rev Neurosci. 2004 Oct;5(10):793-807. doi: 10.1038/nrn1519.

Abstract

Mammals adapt to a rapidly changing world because of the sophisticated cognitive functions that are supported by the neocortex. The neocortex, which forms almost 80% of the human brain, seems to have arisen from repeated duplication of a stereotypical microcircuit template with subtle specializations for different brain regions and species. The quest to unravel the blueprint of this template started more than a century ago and has revealed an immensely intricate design. The largest obstacle is the daunting variety of inhibitory interneurons that are found in the circuit. This review focuses on the organizing principles that govern the diversity of inhibitory interneurons and their circuits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Dendrites / physiology
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Humans
  • Interneurons / classification
  • Interneurons / cytology
  • Interneurons / physiology*
  • Ion Channels / physiology
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Neocortex / cytology*
  • Nerve Net / cytology
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Neural Inhibition / physiology*
  • Neurons / classification
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Synapses / classification
  • Synapses / physiology
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Neuropeptides