Abstract

Adverse experiences such as stress or fear have a strong impact on our brain, leading to changes in the structure and physiology of neural circuits. The effects of such events are particularly disturbing when they occur early in life, when some regions of the brain are still completing their development. Although early adverse events (EAE) are well-documented risk factors for developing neuropsychiatric disorders in adulthood, the neurobiological bases of the consequences of EAE are still not well understood; there is strong evidence of alterations in excitatory neurons but the impact on various subtypes of GABAergic inhibitory neurons is limited. Yet, there is an increasing interest to explore the effects on EAE on GABAergic neurons because many of them complete their development during postnatal life and subsequently have crucial roles in controlling the dynamics of behaviorally relevant circuits.

In this symposium we will gather experts to discuss the impact of EAE on GABAergic interneurons. The speakers will tackle the subject from different perspectives, including structural and functional approaches, with a unique translational view from studies in both, animal models and psychiatric patients who have suffered EAE. Examples of the impact of EAE will be described in different brain regions: the amygdala, the thalamus or the prefrontal cortex, both on the inhibitory circuits and on regulators of their plasticity, such as the perineuronal nets.