# Cortical VIP interneurons: behavioral recruitment, circuit mechanisms and subtypes

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $344,531

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The complex architecture of cortical microcircuits is thought to comprise
variations of canonical microcircuits that perform elemental computations. In the
midst of specialized local computations, cortex also receives global input from a
variety of long-range neuromodulatory centers. This proposal investigates the
relationship between these two types of circuits.
A recently identified cortical circuit motif is controlled by a class of interneurons
defined by their expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), which
disinhibit pyramidal cells across four distinct cortical areas, thus defining a
canonical cortical circuit. These VIP interneurons in the auditory cortex are
recruited in response to reinforcement signals (reward and punishment), which
are likely driven by neuromodulatory systems. Therefore the dual objectives of
this proposal are to determine both the generality of VIP recruitment by
reinforcement signals and the circuit mechanisms responsible for this activity.
First we will evaluate the cortex-wide generality of VIP interneuron recruitment by
reinforcers using a combination of sophisticated techniques for neuron
identification and evaluation of their activity. Second, we will identify which inputs
drive reinforcement responses in VIP neurons. We will map all common regions
across the brain that provide inputs to cortical VIP neurons, with a focus on the
cholinergic and serotonergic neuromodulatory systems and determine the
pathway(s) causally responsible. Finally, we will determine how different
subtypes of VIP neurons are recruited and driven.
Completion of these aims should reveal fundamental principles of how the VIP-
controlled cortical microcircuit functions cortex-wide and serves as a conduit for
fast neuromodulatory control.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10185927
- **Project number:** 7R01NS075531-09
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam Kepecs
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $344,531
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2011-07-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10185927

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10185927, Cortical VIP interneurons: behavioral recruitment, circuit mechanisms and subtypes (7R01NS075531-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10185927. Licensed CC0.

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