# Genetic Dissection of Cortical Parvalbumin Interneuron Subtypes

> **NIH NIH F31** · STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK · 2020 · $35,430

## Abstract

Abstract
The inhibitory control and dynamic tuning of cortical circuits is mediated by a diversity of
GABAergic cell types, but the biological basis of interneuron identity and diversity is not well
understood. Here, we combine developmental genetic, anatomic and transcriptomic approaches
to define and discover bona fide cell types within a broad class of cortical interneurons.
Parvalbumin containing, fast-spiking basket cells (PVCs) are the largest population of
interneurons in the neocortex and integrate in infragranular, granular (layer IV), and
supragranular circuits, each with unique input/output connectivity. Recent findings from our
laboratory and others suggest heterogeneity in PVC morphology, synaptic properties, and
connectivity, but it is uncertain how many of these represent distinct subtypes. Using a
developmental genetic strategy, we take advantage of the inside-out laminar specification of
PVCs to identify and characterize subtypes based on lineage and birth time restricted cohorts.
PVCs are derived from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), and the transition from
progenitor to differentiated neuron is marked by the upregulation of proneural transcription
factors. By intersecting inducible Ascl1-CreER and Dlx1-CreER mice with PV-Flp mice and an
intersectional reporter and inducing in mid-to-late embryogenesis, we have begun parsing adult
laminar PVC subtypes for multifactorial single-cell analysis. We quantify the laminar position
and morphology of lineage restricted and birth-dated PVC cohorts. We will also carry out single
cell RNAseq to analyze their transcription profiles. The integration of morphological and
anatomical characterization with single cell RNAseq will increase our understanding of cell
identity in PVCs and can potentially uncover new underlying cellular properties. Because PVCs
are implicated in schizophrenia, autism, and other mental disorders, their complete profiling at
the single cell level could aid in understanding pathophysiology and suggest better treatment
strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9853835
- **Project number:** 5F31MH114529-03
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK
- **Principal Investigator:** RICARDO RAUDALES
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $35,430
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-02-16 → 2021-02-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9853835

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9853835, Genetic Dissection of Cortical Parvalbumin Interneuron Subtypes (5F31MH114529-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9853835. Licensed CC0.

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