Interneurons : role in maintaining and restoring synaptic plasticity

Abstract

Inhibitory circuits play an important role in synaptic plasticity during development and adulthood. Changes in interneuronal activity induce structural and synaptic rearrangements of inhibitory interneurons, network oscillations, and homeostatic plasticity. In addition to epileptic seizures, deficits in the inhibitory system lead to aberrant information processing and cognitive impairment in various neurological disorders. Studies exploring the structural and functional plasticity of interneurons are essential, not only to understand the mechanisms underlying normal development and behavior but also, to identify the etiology of different psychiatric and neurological disorders to pursue new therapies. Here, it will be discussed the role of inhibitory circuit in the synaptic plasticity, and how cellular replacement strategies can remodel changes in circuit function and homeostasis in the context of brain repair.