# From Balance to Breakdown: striatal PV interneurons in Huntington’s disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder

## TL;DR

This review explores the role of striatal PV interneurons in brain function and their involvement in Huntington’s disease and autism.

## Contribution

The paper synthesizes recent findings on PV interneurons, linking them to both neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

## Key findings

- PV interneurons are critical for balancing excitation and inhibition in the striatum.
- Alterations in PV interneurons are linked to Huntington’s disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- PV interneurons serve as a bridge between neurodegenerative and psychiatric research.

## Abstract

Once relegated to the background of striatal circuitry, parvalbumin-expressing interneurons are now emerging as central players in health and disease. Acting as true gatekeepers, striatal PV interneurons are well-described for their role in synchronizing striatal output and balancing excitation and inhibition to sustain coordinated motor and cognitive functions. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding their developmental origins, molecular identity, physiological properties, and their roles in striatal function. Furthermore, we examine converging evidence implicating PV interneurons in Huntington’s disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder, where their structural, molecular, and functional alterations position them at the intersection of neurodegenerative and psychiatric research.