Stress enhances electrical synapse formation between regenerating neurons.

A pair of adult molluscan neurons (L5 and R5) are known to sprout and form a new electrical synapse following axotomy. Additionally, certain forms of stress can elicit restricted sprouting of neurons L5 and R5 within the intact nervous system. This study found that the strength of 5-5 electrical coupling was increased during sprouting in ganglia from previously stressed animals. The increase of electrical coupling was due to a decrease of coupling resistance without any observable change in the degree of sprouting. Thus prior stress can increase the strength of an electrical synapse formed between sprouting neurons.