Synchrony and so much more: Diverse roles for electrical synapses in neural circuits. Issue 5 (14th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Connors, Barry W.
• Other Names: Pereda Alberto E. guestEditor.; Macagno Eduardo R. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Developmental neurobiology. Volume 77:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 610
• Page End: 624
• Publication Date: 2017-03-14
• Subjects: electrical synapses -- gap junctions -- Cx36 -- synchrony -- rhythms; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurobiology; Neurobiologie -- Périodiques; Neurobiology; Periodicals; Periodicals; 573.838
• DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22493
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-8451

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Electrical synapses are neuronal gap junctions that are ubiquitous across brain regions and species. The biophysical properties of most electrical synapses are relatively simple—transcellular channels allow nearly ohmic, bidirectional flow of ionic current. Yet these connections can play remarkably diverse roles in different neural circuit contexts. Recent findings illustrate how electrical synapses may excite or inhibit, synchronize or desynchronize, augment or diminish rhythms, phase‐shift, detect coincidences, enhance signals relative to noise, adapt, and interact with nonlinear membrane and transmitter‐release mechanisms. Most of these functions are likely to be widespread in central nervous systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 610–624, 2017