Electrical synapses between inhibitory neurons shape the responses of principal neurons to transient inputs in the thalamus: a modeling study

Scientific Reports
Tuan Pham, Julie S Haas

Abstract

As multimodal sensory information proceeds to the cortex, it is intercepted and processed by the nuclei of the thalamus. The main source of inhibition within thalamus is the reticular nucleus (TRN), which collects signals both from thalamocortical relay neurons and from thalamocortical feedback. Within the reticular nucleus, neurons are densely interconnected by connexin36-based gap junctions, known as electrical synapses. Electrical synapses have been shown to coordinate neuronal rhythms, including thalamocortical spindle rhythms, but their role in shaping or modulating transient activity is less understood. We constructed a four-cell model of thalamic relay and TRN neurons, and used it to investigate the impact of electrical synapses on closely timed inputs delivered to thalamic relay cells. We show that the electrical synapses of the TRN assist cortical discrimination of these inputs through effects of truncation, delay or inhibition of thalamic spike trains. We expect that these are principles whereby electrical synapses play similar roles in regulating the processing of transient activity in excitatory neurons across the brain.

References

Jun 1, 1985·Journal of Neurocytology·P T Ohara, A R Lieberman
Nov 3, 1980·Brain Research·C R HouserE Roberts
Sep 1, 1996·Journal of Neurophysiology·S M Sherman, R W Guillery
Jun 30, 2001·Journal of Neurophysiology·R SosnikE Ahissar
Jun 21, 2002·Nature·Gwendal Le MassonThierry Bal
May 27, 2003·Journal of Computational Neuroscience·Timothy J Lewis, John Rinzel
Jun 26, 2004·Annual Review of Neuroscience·Barry W Connors, Michael A Long
Apr 2, 2005·Neural Computation·Benjamin PfeutyDavid Hansel
Dec 17, 2005·Science·Carole E Landisman, Barry W Connors
Apr 12, 2006·Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics·Jörg MayerJens Christian Claussen
Oct 25, 2011·Science·Julie S HaasCarole E Landisman
Mar 13, 2012·Nature Neuroscience·Xaq Pitkow, Markus Meister
Mar 29, 2013·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Paul D KingMichael R DeWeese
Sep 26, 2013·Cerebral Cortex·Chunxiu YuEhud Ahissar
Oct 8, 2014·Current Biology : CB·Peter Kloppenburg, Martin Paul Nawrot
May 15, 2015·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Zemin WangCarole E Landisman
Jul 8, 2016·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Guoqiang HouZhong-Wei Zhang
Nov 25, 2016·Neuron·P Michelle Fogerson, John R Huguenard

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

MATLAB
NEURON
ModelDB

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Schizophrenia Bulletin
Fabio Ferrarelli, Giulio Tononi
Progress in Brain Research
S P NARIKASHVILI, D Kadjaia
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved