Scientific Seminar: Interaction between oligodendrocyte precursors and cortical interneurons determines social cognition

Cortical neural circuits are complex but very precise networks of balanced excitation and inhibition. By using conditional GABA B1-deficient mice, we identified a GABA/TWEAK-mediated bidirectional communication pathway between interneurons and oligodendrocyte precursors that determines the density and function of interneurons in the developing medial prefrontal cortex. Interruption of the GABAergic signaling to oligodendrocyte precursor cells results in reduced myelination and hypoactivity of interneurons, strong changes of cortical network activities and impaired social cognitive behavior.