Continuing our understanding on the role of programmed cell death in shaping the interneuron population in the developing mouse cortex, Fong has recently published a paper on Cell Reports. In this paper, she has shown that interneuron survival is regulated in an input-specific manner during the period of programmed cell death. More specifically, the neurogliaform and the caudal-ganglionic eminence derived basket cells rely on glutamatergic neurotransmissions. Bipolar cells survival however, do not depend on glutamate but instead depends on the long-range serotonergic inputs.
To find out more, you can read the full paper at https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2211-1247%2822%2900831-2.
We have also summarised the main message of the paper in the following comic
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