Optogenetic Activation of Dorsal Raphe Serotonin Neurons Rapidly Inhibits Spontaneous But Not Odor-Evoked Activity in Olfactory Cortex

Lottem, E.; Lorincz, M. L.; Mainen, Z. F.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/23192

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Authors

Lottem, E.

Lorincz, M. L.

Mainen, Z. F.

Abstract(s)

Serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine; 5-HT) is implicated in a variety of brain functions including not only the regulation of mood and control of behavior but also the modulation of perception. 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) often fire locked to sensory stimuli, but little is known about how 5-HT affects sensory processing, especially on this timescale. Here, we used an optogenetic approach to study the effect of 5-HT on single-unit activity in the mouse primary olfactory (anterior piriform) cortex. We show that activation of DRN 5-HT neurons rapidly inhibits the spontaneous firing of olfactory cortical neurons, acting in a divisive manner, but entirely spares sensory-driven firing. These results identify a new role for serotonergic modulation in dynamically regulating the balance between different sources of neural activity in sensory systems, suggesting a possible role for 5-HT in perceptual inference.