Thyroid hormones maintain parvalbumin neuron functions in mouse neocortex

Here we investigate the function of thyroid hormones in PV neurons in the mouse neocortex. To this end, Cre/loxP recombination system was used to express a dominant negative mutated receptor of thyroid hormones only in PV neurons.

We analyzed the neocortical phenotype of these mice, in which thyroid hormone signaling is selectively disrupted in PV neurons, by combining genomics, histology, electrophysiology, sleep recordings and behavioral analysis. In the mutant mice, gene expression analysis revealed a decreased expression of key perineuronal net components of PV neurons. PV neuron excitability was decreased, leading to behavioral hyperactivity and increased susceptibility to seizures.