Inhibition exerts a pivotal role in network features such as oscillations and generation of cell assemblies. These features are linked with the implementation of specific brain states and in the formation and retrieval of memory. Moreover, malfunctioning of inhibition is tightly associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders. Currently it is believed that the fine control exerted by inhibition in the brain is achieved through the coordinated activity of several subclasses of inhibitory interneurons showing specific morphology, spiking activity and innervation selectivity onto pyramidal neuronal sub-regions. However how the specific features of inhibitory synapses contribute to the inhibitory function is only beginning to be unraveled. Fast neuronal inhibition in the central nervous system is mainly mediated by GABAA receptors in cortical and hippocampal brain regions. In brainstem and spinal cord, glycine and GABA receptors regulate inhibitory transmission and show synaptic co-localization. In both types of inhibitory synapses the synaptic scaffolding molecule gephyrin regulates receptor stabilization at postsynaptic sites. However, several questions remain unaddressed: i) do inhibitory synapses show similar plasticity with respect to their excitatory counterparts? ii) what is the impact of the nanoscale organization of inhibitory synapses in their plasticity and diversity?; iii) what is the role of synaptic protein diffusion in the inhibitory synaptic function? Is the maturation and stability of inhibitory synapses altered in pathological conditions? In the present symposium these timely questions will be addressed by six scientists focusing on the function of inhibitory synapses at different spatial and temporal scales.

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