Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
Neuron. 2017 Mar 22;93(6):1275-1295. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.02.041.
Electrical synapses are the functional correlate of gap junctions and allow transmission of small molecules and electrical current between coupled neurons. Instead of static pores, electrical synapses are actually plastic, similar to chemical synapses. In the thalamocortical system, gap junctions couple inhibitory neurons that are similar in their biochemical profile, morphology, and electrophysiological properties. We postulate that electrical synaptic plasticity among inhibitory neurons directly interacts with the switching between different firing patterns in a state-dependent and type-dependent manner. In neuronal networks, electrical synapses may function as a modifiable resonance feedback system that enables stable oscillations. Furthermore, the plasticity of electrical synapses may play an important role in regulation of state, synchrony, and rhythmogenesis in the mammalian thalamocortical system, similar to chemical synaptic plasticity. Based on their plasticity, rich diversity, and specificity, electrical synapses are thus likely to participate in the control of consciousness and attention.
电突触是缝隙连接的功能相关物，允许在耦合神经元之间传递小分子和电流。电突触不是静态孔隙，实际上是可塑的，类似于化学突触。在丘脑皮质系统中，缝隙连接将生化特征、形态和电生理特性相似的抑制性神经元耦合在一起。我们假设，抑制性神经元之间的电突触可塑性以状态依赖和类型依赖的方式直接与不同放电模式之间的转换相互作用。在神经元网络中，电突触可以作为一个可调节的共振反馈系统，使稳定的振荡成为可能。此外，电突触的可塑性可能在哺乳动物丘脑皮质系统的状态、同步和节律产生的调节中发挥重要作用，类似于化学突触的可塑性。基于其可塑性、丰富的多样性和特异性，电突触可能参与意识和注意力的控制。
