Specific hippocampal interneurons shape consolidation of recognition memory
SUMMARYA complex array of different inhibitory interneurons tightly controls hippocampal activity, but how such diversity specifically impacts on memory processes is scantly known. We found that a small subclass of type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1)-expressing hippocampal interneurons determines episodic-like memory consolidation by linking dopamine D1 receptor signaling to GABAergic transmission.Mice lacking CB1 in D1-positive cells (D1-CB1-KO) displayed impaired long-term, but not short-term, object recognition memory. Re-expression of CB1 in hippocampal, but not striatal, D1-positive cells rescued this memory impairment. Learning induced a facilitation of in vivo hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), which was abolished in mutant mice. Chemogenetic and pharmacological experiments revealed that both CB1-mediated memory and associated LTP facilitation involves the local control of GABAergic inhibition in a D1-dependent manner.This study reveals that CB1-/D1-expressing interneurons shape hippocampal circuits to sustain recognition memory, thereby identifying a mechanism linking the diversity of hippocampal interneurons to specific behavioral and cognitive outcomes.