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.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS050434-04
Application #
7364143
Study Section
Sensorimotor Integration Study Section (SMI)
Program Officer
Talley, Edmund M
Project Start
2005-01-15
Project End
2009-12-31
Budget Start
2008-01-01
Budget End
2008-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$339,864
Indirect Cost
Name
Brown University
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
Blaeser, Andrew S; Connors, Barry W; Nurmikko, Arto V (2017) Spontaneous dynamics of neural networks in deep layers of prefrontal cortex. J Neurophysiol 117:1581-1594
Connors, Barry W (2017) Synchrony and so much more: Diverse roles for electrical synapses in neural circuits. Dev Neurobiol 77:610-624
Crandall, Shane R; Patrick, Saundra L; Cruikshank, Scott J et al. (2017) Infrabarrels Are Layer 6 Circuit Modules in the Barrel Cortex that Link Long-Range Inputs and Outputs. Cell Rep 21:3065-3078
Neske, Garrett T; Connors, Barry W (2016) Synchronized gamma-frequency inhibition in neocortex depends on excitatory-inhibitory interactions but not electrical synapses. J Neurophysiol 116:351-68
Neske, Garrett T; Connors, Barry W (2016) Distinct Roles of SOM and VIP Interneurons during Cortical Up States. Front Neural Circuits 10:52
Zolnik, Timothy A; Connors, Barry W (2016) Electrical synapses and the development of inhibitory circuits in the thalamus. J Physiol 594:2579-92
Crandall, Shane R; Connors, Barry W (2016) Diverse Ensembles of Inhibitory Interneurons. Neuron 90:4-6
Neske, Garrett T (2015) The Slow Oscillation in Cortical and Thalamic Networks: Mechanisms and Functions. Front Neural Circuits 9:88
Crandall, Shane R; Cruikshank, Scott J; Connors, Barry W (2015) A corticothalamic switch: controlling the thalamus with dynamic synapses. Neuron 86:768-82
Neske, Garrett T; Patrick, Saundra L; Connors, Barry W (2015) Contributions of diverse excitatory and inhibitory neurons to recurrent network activity in cerebral cortex. J Neurosci 35:1089-105

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