In this project, we aim to explore the role of bidirectional communication between microglia and parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PVIs) in the hippocampal CA1 region. We will test the hypothesis that microglial regulation of PVI activity modulates gamma frequency oscillations that critically depend on PVI function. This will be tested in wild-type and DISC1 mice, which serve as a model system of impaired PVI and gamma function.

Using a combination of in vivo and ex vivo electrophysiology, multi-photon imaging and biochemical analyses, we aim to identify the impact of microglia-PVI interactions for microcircuit function and to reveal how microglial dysfunction relates to oscillatory network defects.