Electrical Synapses in the Mammalian Brian

描述（由申请人提供）：电突触是一种特殊的连接，包括间隙连接，允许离子电流和小有机分子从一个神经元传递到另一个神经元。直到最近几年，人们才清楚地认识到，电突触是贯穿哺乳动物中枢神经系统的神经元回路的一个主要特征。PI的研究表明，在新皮层和丘脑的抑制性神经元之间，电突触是普遍存在的，而connexin36蛋白对于这些连接是必需的。本研究将描述丘脑和新皮层电突触的功能和调控。有三个具体的目的：1)电突触在丘脑皮质系统的抑制性和兴奋性神经元的分布将使用电生理学，解剖学和分子方法详细表征；2)电突触可以协调抑制性中间神经元网络及其接触的兴奋性神经元的活动的假设，将在丘脑和新皮层的受控条件下进行验证；3)电突触可由神经活动、神经递质和细胞内信号系统调节的假说将在丘脑和新皮层进行验证。这项研究将对电突触的特性和功能提供更深入的了解，电突触是哺乳动物前脑的新特征。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Electrical synapses are specialized connections, comprising gap junctions,that allow ionic current and small organic molecules to pass from one neuron to another. Only in the past few years has it become clear that electrical synapses are a major feature of the neuronal circuitry across the mammalian central nervous system. The PI's research has shown that electrical synapses are common between inhibitory neurons of the neocortex and thalamus, and that the protein connexin36 is necessary for these connections. This investigation will characterize the functions and the regulation of electrical synapses in the thalamus and neocortex. There are three specific aims: 1) the distribution of electrical synapses in both inhibitory and excitatory neurons of the thalamocortical system will be characterized in detail using electrophysiological, anatomical, and molecular methods; 2) the hypothesis that electrical synapses can coordinate the activity of inhibitory interneuron networks, and the excitatory neurons they contact, will be tested under controlled conditions in thalamus and neocortex; 3) the hypothesis that electrical synapses can be modulated by neural activity, neurotransmitters, and intracellular signaling systems will be tested in thalamus and neocortex. This investigation will provide a deeper understanding of the properties and functions of electrical synapses, a newly recognized feature of the mammalian forebrain.