The role of sleep in inhibitory synaptic plasticity

The normal circuit function relies on a proper balance between excitation (E) and inhibition (I), and the disrupted balance has been reported as the underlying mechanisms of various brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), schizophrenia, and epilepsy. At the single-cell level, this equilibrium state is reflected by the stable ratio of excitatory to inhibitory synaptic transmissions, namely the E/I ratio. Although many previous studies has found that the inhibitory neurons play a vital role in the maintenance of the E/I ratio, the sub-type contributions of the inhibitory circuit have not been identified yet. Thus, in this project, I will use Drosophila melanogaster, as a model animal in combination with many cutting-edge techniques including in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics and behavioral assays to examine the role of the inhibitory circuits in the maintenance of the E/I ratio. Besides, I will also study how the E/I ratio can be affected by sleep, and further ask what the underlying mechanisms are.