Modification of oxygen consumption and blood flow in mouse somatosensory cortex by cell-type-specific neuronal activity

Gamma activity arising from the interplay between pyramidal neurons and fast-spiking parvalbumin (PV) interneurons is an integral part of higher cognitive functions and is assumed to contribute significantly to brain metabolic responses. Cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) responses were evoked by optogenetic stimulation of cortical PV interneurons and pyramidal neurons. We found that CMRO2 responses depended on neuronal activation, but not on the power of gamma activity induced by optogenetic stimulation. This implies that evoked gamma activity per se is not energy demanding. Optogenetic stimulation of PV interneurons during somatosensory stimulation reduced excitatory neuronal activity but did not potentiate O2 consumption as previously hypothesized. In conclusion, our data suggest that activity-driven CMRO2 responses depend on neuronal excitation rather than the cerebral rhythmic activity they induce. Excitation of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons requires energy, but inhibition of cortical excitatory neurons by interneurons does not potentiate activity-driven energy consumption.