Electrical Coupling of Axons

摘要: This chapter describes an unconventional signalling mechanisms underlying fast, coherent network activity: inter-axonal electrical coupling. Based on experimental findings and computer models, junctions between axons of pyramidal cells have been suggested to mediate antidromic action potentials. The low capacitance hlgh excitability enables extremely fast transfer spikes from the primary axon coupled fibre, supporting synchronization neuronal activity. Direct spike does also uncouple output path synaptic excitation in dendrites, thereby constituting a largely autonomous for selected groups neurons. may turn out be unique mechanism activity which important, example, memory readout consolidation. Axonal gap are notoriously difficult study experimentally, due small size, lack selective pharmacological tools compensatory constitutive connexin deletion mutants. However, combined efforts different gathered accumulating functional structural evidence support axo-axonic junctions. They may, therefore, important determinants networks.