Distinct roles of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing neurons in flexible representation of task variables in the prefrontal cortex

A hallmark of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is flexible representation of task-relevant variables. To investigate roles of different interneuron subtypes in this process, we examined discharge characteristics and inactivation effects of parvalbumin (PV)- and somatostatin (SST)-expressing neurons in the mouse PFC during probabilistic classical conditioning. We found activity patterns and inactivation effects differed between PV and SST neurons: SST neurons conveyed cue-associated quantitative value signals until trial outcome, whereas PV neurons maintained valence signals even after trial outcome. Also, PV, but not SST, neuronal population showed opposite responses to reward and punishment. Moreover, inactivation of PV, but not SST, neurons affected outcome responses and activity reversal of pyramidal neurons. Modeling suggested opposite responses of PV neurons to reward and punishment as an efficient mechanism for facilitating rapid cue-outcome contingency learning. Our results suggest primary roles of mPFC PV neurons in rapid value updating and SST neurons in predicting values of upcoming events.