Silencing VGluT2⁺ interneurons restores the balance of excitatory–inhibitory input in the IML after SCI. Excitatory (VGluT2⁺) and inhibitory (VGAT⁺) presynaptic vesicles were labeled in the T6–T9 IML (34 d post-spinal surgery). A–H, Representative images showing VGluT2 (A–D) and VGAT (E–H) staining in each group. Scale bar: A–H, 20 μm. I–K, Quantification of the number of VGluT2⁺ (I) and VGAT⁺ (J) puncta, and the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory puncta (K) shows that SCI increases excitatory and decreases inhibitory puncta; this is returned to normal by silencing VGluT2 interneurons and can be recapitulated in sham mice by activating VGluT2 interneurons. I–K, One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc tests; n = 3–4 mice/group. ^ap < 0.05. Values are the mean ± SEM.