Cholecystokinin-expressing (CCK+) basket cells are key controllers of theta-gamma coupled rhythms in the hippocampus

Abstract

Various inhibitory cell types underlie cognitively important brain rhythms and their couplings. Precisely how this is manifest is unclear. Complex network interactions make an understanding of inhibitory cell contributions extremely difficult and using experiments alone is insufficient. Using detailed biophysical models, we obtain hypotheses of how theta and gamma rhythms in the hippocampus are generated and coupled. We find critical contributions by parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) basket cells (BCs), cholecystokinin-expressing (CCK+) BCs and bistratified cells. Based on this, we develop and explore a population rate model and predict that CCK+BCs exert more control relative to PV+BCs for theta-gamma coupling, and that theta frequencies are more strongly affected by PV+BC to CCK+BC coupling relative to CCK+BC to PV+BC. As specific inhibitory cell types can be targeted during behaviour, it is possible to test these predictions. Our work shows that combining models at different scales creates new insights that otherwise would not be revealed.