Active cortical networks promote shunting fast synaptic inhibition in vivo.

ABSTRACT: Fast synaptic inhibition determines neuronal response properties in the mammalian brain and is mediated by chloride-permeable ionotropic GABA-A receptors (GABA_ARs). Despite their fundamental role, it is still not known how GABA_ARs signal in the intact brain. Here, we use in vivo gramicidin recordings to investigate synaptic GABA_AR signaling in mouse cortical pyramidal neurons under conditions that preserve native transmembrane chloride gradients. In anesthetized cortex, synaptic GABA_ARs exert classic hyperpolarizing effects. In contrast, GABA_AR-mediated synaptic signaling in awake cortex is found to be predominantly shunting. This is due to more depolarized GABA_AR equilibrium potentials (E_GABAAR), which are shown

SUBMITTER: Burman RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11913778 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature