2011/10/20 by Julie S. Haas, Baltazar Zavala, Carole E. Landisman · 1 citation
Neuroscience · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research #Neural dynamics and brain function #Connexins and lens biology #Electrical Synapses #Neuroscience #Gap junction #Reticular connective tissue #Neuroplasticity #Synaptic plasticity #Sensory system #Thalamic reticular nucleus #Arousal #Biology #Mechanism (biology) #Nucleus #Physics #Anatomy #Cell biology #Receptor
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1207502
openalex publication_date 2011/10/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Use-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity have been extensively characterized at chemical synapses, but a relationship between natural activity and strength at electrical synapses remains elusive. The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), a brain area rich in gap-junctional (electrical) synapses, regulates cortical attention to the sensory surround and participates in shifts between arousal states; plasticity of electrical synapses may be a key mechanism underlying these processes. We observed long-term depression resulting from coordinated burst firing in pairs of coupled TRN neurons. Changes in gap-junctional communication were asymmetrical, indicating that regulation of connectivity depends on the direction of use. Modification of electrical synapses resulting from activity in coupled neurons is likely to be a widespread and powerful mechanism for dynamic reorganization of electrically coupled neuronal networks.