Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are specialized extracellular matrix structures that surround specific neurons in the brain and spinal cord, appear during critical periods of development, and restrict plasticity during adulthood. Removal of PNNs can reinstate juvenile-like plasticity or, in cases of PNN removal during early developmental stages, PNN removal extends the critical plasticity period. PNNs surround mainly parvalbumin (PV)-containing, fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons in several brain regions. These inhibitory interneurons profoundly inhibit the network of surrounding neurons via their elaborate contacts with local pyramidal neurons, and they are key contributors to gamma oscillations generated across several brain regions. Among other functions, these gamma oscillations regulate plasticity associated with learning, decision making, attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. The detailed mechanisms by which PNN removal increases plasticity are only beginning to be understood. Here, we review the impact of PNN removal on several electrophysiological features of their underlying PV interneurons and nearby pyramidal neurons, including changes in intrinsic and synaptic membrane properties, brain oscillations, and how these changes may alter the integration of memory-related information. Additionally, we review how PNN removal affects plasticity-associated phenomena such as long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD), and paired-pulse ratio (PPR). The results are discussed in the context of the role of PV interneurons in circuit function and how PNN removal alters this function.

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) surrounding fast-spiking, parvalbumin (PV) inhibitory interneurons are vital for providing excitatory:inhibitory balance within cortical circuits, and this balance is impaired in disorders such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and substance use disorders. These disorders are also associated with altered diurnal rhythms, yet few studies have examined the diurnal rhythms of PNNs or PV cells. We measured the intensity and number of PV cells and PNNs labeled with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) in the rat prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) at Zeitgeber times (ZT) ZT0, 6, 12, and 18. We also measured the oxidative stress marker 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG). Relative to ZT0, the intensities of PNN and PV staining were increased in the dark (active) phase compared with the light (inactive) phase. The intensity of 8-oxo-dG was decreased from ZT0 at all time points (ZT6,12,18), in both PV cells and non-PV cells. To examine corresponding changes in inhibitory and excitatory inputs, we measured GAD 65/67 and vGlut1 puncta apposed to PV cells with and without PNNs. Relative to ZT6, there were more excitatory puncta on PV cells surrounded by PNNs at ZT18, but no changes in PV cells devoid of PNNs. No changes in inhibitory puncta were observed. Whole-cell slice recordings in fast-spiking (PV) cells with PNNs showed an increased ratio of -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor:N-methyl-Daspartate receptor (AMPA:NMDA) at ZT18 vs. ZT6. The number of PV cells and co-labeled PV/PNN cells containing the transcription factor orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2), which maintains PNNs, showed a strong trend toward an increase from ZT6 to ZT18. These diurnal fluctuations in PNNs and PV cells are expected to alter cortical excitatory:inhibitory balance and provide new insights into treatment approaches for diseases impacted by imbalances in sleep and circadian rhythms.

Substance use disorder is a complex disease created in part by maladaptive learning and memory mechanisms following repeated drug use. Exposure to drug‐associated stimuli engages prefrontal cortex circuits, and dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is thought to underlie drug‐seeking behaviors. Growing evidence supports a role for parvalbumin containing fast‐spiking interneurons (FSI) in modulating prefrontal cortical microcircuit activity by influencing the balance of excitation and inhibition, which can influence learning and memory processes. Most parvalbumin FSIs within layer V of the prelimbic mPFC are surrounded by specialized extracellular matrix structures called perineuronal nets (PNN). Previous work by our group found that cocaine exposure altered PNN‐surrounded FSI function, and pharmacological removal of PNNs reduced cocaine‐seeking behavior. However, the role of FSIs and associated constituents (parvalbumin and PNNs) in cocaine‐related memories was not previously explored and is still unknown. Here, we found that reactivation of a cocaine conditioned place preference memory produced changes in cortical PNN‐surrounded parvalbumin FSIs, including decreased parvalbumin intensity, increased parvalbumin cell axis diameter, decreased intrinsic excitability, and increased excitatory synaptic input. Further investigation of intrinsic properties revealed changes in the interspike interval, membrane capacitance, and afterhyperpolarization recovery time. Changes in these specific properties suggest an increase in potassium‐mediated currents, which was validated with additional electrophysiological analysis. Collectively, our results indicate that cocaine memory reactivation induces functional adaptations in PNN‐surrounded parvalbumin neurons, which likely alters cortical output to promote cocaine‐seeking behavior.