Network control through coordinated inhibition

L.J. Herstel, C.J. Wierenga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Coordinated excitatory and inhibitory activity is required for
proper brain functioning. Recent computational and
experimental studies have demonstrated that activity patterns
in recurrent cortical networks are dominated by inhibition.
Whereas previous studies have suggested that inhibitory
plasticity is important for homeostatic control, this new
framework puts inhibition in the driver’s seat. Complex
neuronal networks in the brain comprise many configurations in
parallel, controlled by external and internal ‘switches’. Context-dependent
modulation and plasticity of inhibitory connections
play a key role in memory and learning. It is therefore important
to realize that synaptic plasticity is often multisynaptic and that
a proper balance between excitation and inhibition is not fixed,
but depends on context and activity level.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)34-41
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Opinion in Neurobiology
Volume67
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, as part of the research program of the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) (#16NEPH05).

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research , as part of the research program of the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) (#16NEPH05).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s)

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