Inferring connection proximity in networks of electrically coupled cells by subthreshold frequency response analysis

Article Article scientifique Article Inferring connection proximity in networks of electrically coupled cells by subthreshold frequency response analysis eng 2008 author Cali Corrado author Berger Thomas 630683 author Pignatelli Michele author Carleton Alan 676577 author Markram Henry author Giugliano Michele 330-345 10.1007/s10827-007-0058-2 18044016 0929-5313 http://www.springerlink.com/content/pv71738508338441/fulltext.pdf Electrical synapses continuously transfer signals bi-directionally from one cell to another, directly or indirectly via intermediate cells. Electrical synapses are common in many brain structures such as the inferior olive, the subcoeruleus nucleus and the neocortex, between neurons and between glial cells. In the cortex, interneurons have been shown to be electrically coupled and proposed to participate in large, continuous cortical syncytia, as opposed to smaller spatial domains of electrically coupled cells. However, to explore the significance of these findings it is imperative to map the electrical synaptic microcircuits, in analogy with in vitro studies on monosynaptic and disynaptic chemical coupling. Since "walking" from cell to cell over large distances with a glass pipette is challenging, microinjection of (fluorescent) dyes diffusing through gap-junctions remains so far the only method available to decipher such microcircuits even though technical limitations exist. Based on circuit theory, we derive analytical descriptions of the AC electrical coupling in networks of isopotential cells. We then suggest an operative electrophysiological protocol to distinguish between direct electrical connections and connections involving one or more intermediate cells. This method allows inferring the number of intermediate cells, generalizing the conventional coupling coefficient, which provides limited information. We validate our method through computer simulations, theoretical and numerical methods and electrophysiological paired recordings. Animals Electric Conductivity Electric Impedance Electrophysiology Gap Junctions/physiology Models, Neurological Nerve Net/*physiology Neurons/*physiology Rats Rats, Wistar Reaction Time Sensory Thresholds/*physiology Somatosensory Cortex/physiology Synapses/*physiology Dewey 616.8 53 Département de neurosciences fondamentales 21A false 536 Groupe Carleton Alan (neurosciences fondamentales) 876 Journal of computational neuroscience 24 3 d2b58895-9afc-40ba-a3fa-31678ccc36bb Article Restricted file1.pdf 1298581 application/pdf restrictedAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine fondamentale / Département de neurosciences fondamentales

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Inferring connection proximity in networks of electrically coupled cells by subthreshold frequency response analysis	Journal of computational neuroscience			2008	590	1

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Berger, Thomas