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

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.