Functional diversities within neurons and astrocytes in the adult rat auditory cortex revealed by single-nucleus RNA sequencing

The mammalian cerebral cortex is composed of a rich diversity of cell types. Cortical cells are organized into networks that rely on their functional diversity to ultimately carry out a variety of sophisticated cognitive functions. To investigate the breadth of transcriptional diverse cell types in the sensory cortex, we have used single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) in the auditory cortex of the adult rat. A variety of unique excitatory and inhibitory neuron types were identified. In addition, we report for the first time a diversity of astrocytes in the auditory cortex that may represent functionally unique subtypes. Together, these results pave the way for building models of how neurons in the sensory cortex work in concert with astrocytes at synapses to fulfill high-cognitive functions like learning and memory.