Lower gene expression for KCNS3 potassium channel subunit in parvalbumin-containing neurons in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

In schizophrenia, alterations in markers of cortical GABA neurotransmission are prominent in parvalbumin-containing neurons. Parvalbumin neurons selectively express KCNS3, the gene encoding the Kv9.3 potassium channel α-subunit. Kv9.3 subunits are present in voltage-gated potassium channels that contribute to the precise detection of coincident excitatory synaptic inputs to parvalbumin neurons. This distinctive feature of parvalbumin neurons appears important for the synchronization of cortical neural networks in γ-oscillations. Because impaired prefrontal cortical γ-oscillations are thought to underlie the cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, the authors investigated whether KCNS3 mRNA levels are altered in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia subjects.

Method

SUBMITTER: Georgiev D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3947279 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature