Early GABAergic circuitry in the cerebral cortex

•Functional GABAergic synapses are already present in the prenatal neocortex.•The perinatal neocortex contains transient GABAergic circuits.•Cajal-Retzius neurons receive GABAergic inputs from distant sources.•Subplate neurons receive inputs from local GABAergic neurons.

In the cerebral cortex GABAergic signaling plays an important role in regulating early developmental processes, for example, neurogenesis, migration and differentiation. Transient cell populations, namely Cajal-Retzius in the marginal zone and thalamic input receiving subplate neurons, are integrated as active elements in transitory GABAergic circuits. Although immature pyramidal neurons receive GABAergic synaptic inputs already at fetal stages, they are integrated into functional GABAergic circuits only several days later. In consequence, GABAergic synaptic transmission has only a minor influence on spontaneous network activity during early corticogenesis. Concurrent with the gradual developmental shift of GABA action from excitatory to inhibitory and the maturation of cortical synaptic connections, GABA becomes more important in synchronizing neuronal network activity.