VIP interneuron activation restores motor function in Huntington’s disease model
HD mice exhibit reduced activity in VIP inhibitory neurons and corticostriatal neurons in the motor cortex, correlating with motor deficits. Optogenetic activation of VIP interneurons normalizes their activity and rescues downstream corticostriatal neuron function, producing lasting improvements in movement that persist for days, suggesting cortical inhibition modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy for HD.