Parvalbumin neurons and perineuronal nets in the mouse prefrontal cortex

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a key role in cognitive functions, memory, and attention. Alterations in parvalbumin interneurons (PV neurons) and perineuronal nets (PNNs) within the PFC have been implicated in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder pathology. However, it remains unclear why PV neurons and PNNs in the PFC are selectively impaired. Here we aimed to clarify if PV neurons and PNNs in the PFC have region-specific features. We found that PV neurons and PNNs were increased in a region-specific manner in the PFC during postnatal development. In the mature PFC, the expression of PV protein is lower than in other parts of the cortex. Furthermore, PNNs in the mature PFC are not typical lattice-like structures and do not have the major components of PNNs and tenascin-R. The present study indicates that PV neurons and PNNs have region-specific features, and our results suggest that PV neurons and PNNs have structural vulnerability within the PFC.