The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation
Electrical synapses are a type of cellular membrane junction referred to as gap junctions (GJs). GJs have been regarded as an important component within the neuronal networks that underlie synchronous neuronal activity and field potential oscillations. Initially, GJs appeared to play a particularly...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2014-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neural Circuits |
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| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fncir.2014.00032/full |
| _version_ | 1828166182615646208 |
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| author | Anna ePosłuszny |
| author_facet | Anna ePosłuszny |
| author_sort | Anna ePosłuszny |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Electrical synapses are a type of cellular membrane junction referred to as gap junctions (GJs). GJs have been regarded as an important component within the neuronal networks that underlie synchronous neuronal activity and field potential oscillations. Initially, GJs appeared to play a particularly key role in the generation of high frequency oscillatory patterns in field potentials. In order to assess the scale of neuronal GJs contribution to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation, in vivo and in vitro studies are reviewed here. These investigations have shown that blocking the main neuronal GJs, those containing connexin 36 (Cx36-GJs), or knocking out the Cx36 gene affect field potential oscillatory patterns related to awake active behavior (gamma and theta rhythm) but have no effect on high frequency oscillations occurring during silent wake and sleep. Precisely how Cx36-GJs influence population activity of neurons is more complex than previously thought. Analysis of studies on the properties of transmission through GJ channels as well as Cx36-GJs functioning in pairs of coupled neurons provides some explanations of the specific influence of Cx36-GJs on field potential oscillations. It is proposed here that GJ transmission is strongly modulated by the level of neuronal network activity and changing behavioral states. Therefore, contribution of GJs to field potential oscillatory patterns depends on the behavioral state. I propose here a model, based on large body of experimental data gathered in this field by several authors, in which Cx36-GJ transmission especially contributes to oscillations related to active behavior, where it plays a role in filtering and enhancing coherent signals in the network under high-noise conditions. In contrast, oscillations related to silent wake or sleep, especially high frequency oscillations, do not require transmission by neuronal GJs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T01:57:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d831d486f8d3452591a4071d8ca75749 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5110 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T01:57:32Z |
| publishDate | 2014-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neural Circuits |
| spelling | doaj.art-d831d486f8d3452591a4071d8ca757492022-12-22T03:52:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neural Circuits1662-51102014-04-01810.3389/fncir.2014.0003267361The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formationAnna ePosłuszny0Nencki Institute of Experimental BiologyElectrical synapses are a type of cellular membrane junction referred to as gap junctions (GJs). GJs have been regarded as an important component within the neuronal networks that underlie synchronous neuronal activity and field potential oscillations. Initially, GJs appeared to play a particularly key role in the generation of high frequency oscillatory patterns in field potentials. In order to assess the scale of neuronal GJs contribution to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation, in vivo and in vitro studies are reviewed here. These investigations have shown that blocking the main neuronal GJs, those containing connexin 36 (Cx36-GJs), or knocking out the Cx36 gene affect field potential oscillatory patterns related to awake active behavior (gamma and theta rhythm) but have no effect on high frequency oscillations occurring during silent wake and sleep. Precisely how Cx36-GJs influence population activity of neurons is more complex than previously thought. Analysis of studies on the properties of transmission through GJ channels as well as Cx36-GJs functioning in pairs of coupled neurons provides some explanations of the specific influence of Cx36-GJs on field potential oscillations. It is proposed here that GJ transmission is strongly modulated by the level of neuronal network activity and changing behavioral states. Therefore, contribution of GJs to field potential oscillatory patterns depends on the behavioral state. I propose here a model, based on large body of experimental data gathered in this field by several authors, in which Cx36-GJ transmission especially contributes to oscillations related to active behavior, where it plays a role in filtering and enhancing coherent signals in the network under high-noise conditions. In contrast, oscillations related to silent wake or sleep, especially high frequency oscillations, do not require transmission by neuronal GJs.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fncir.2014.00032/fullTheta Rhythminterneurongap junctionelectrical synapsegamma rhythmneuronal synchronization |
| spellingShingle | Anna ePosłuszny The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation Frontiers in Neural Circuits Theta Rhythm interneuron gap junction electrical synapse gamma rhythm neuronal synchronization |
| title | The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation |
| title_full | The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation |
| title_fullStr | The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation |
| title_short | The contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation |
| title_sort | contribution of electrical synapses to field potential oscillations in the hippocampal formation |
| topic | Theta Rhythm interneuron gap junction electrical synapse gamma rhythm neuronal synchronization |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fncir.2014.00032/full |
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