Cited by 960Neural dynamics and brain functionConnexins and lens biologyNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

A network of fast-spiking cells in the neocortex connected by electrical synapses

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Galarreta, Mario, Hestrin, Shaul·1999·Nature

Abstract

Encoding of information in the cortex is thought to depend on synchronous firing of cortical neurons. Inhibitory neurons are known to be critical in the coordination of cortical activity, but how interaction among inhibitory cells promotes synchrony is not well understood. To address this issue directly, we have recorded simultaneously from pairs of fast-spiking (FS) cells, a type of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing neocortical interneuron. Here we report a high occurrence of electrical coupling among FS cells. Electrical synapses were not found among pyramidal neurons or between FS cells and other cortical cells. Some FS cells were interconnected by both electrical and GABAergic synapses. We show that communication through electrical synapses allows excitatory signalling among inhibitory cells and promotes their synchronous spiking. These results indicate that electrical synapses establish a network of fast-spiking cells in the neocortex which may play a key role in coordinating cortical activity.

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Crossref · 10.1038/47029

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  • Within hippocampus and neocortex, dendrodendritic or dendrosomatic electrical synapses are a common feature of many interneurons.

    “Within hippocampus and neocortex, dendrodendritic or dendrosomatic electrical synapses are a common feature of many interneurons (80, 370, 371, 376, 398, 1084).”

    From Hippocampal GABAergic Inhibitory Interneurons (2017) · cites this paper as [376]

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Authors
Galarreta, M., & Hestrin, S.
Affiliations
Central South University (CN)
Corresponding author
Hestrin, Shaul
Venue
Nature
Published
1999-11
Volume
402
Issue
6757
Pages
72-75
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W10573418
Cited by
960
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 31 · 2014: 51 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 54
FWCI
27.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Scientia Iranica
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Connexins and lens biology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
fast-spiking interneurons, electrical synapses, neocortex, GABAergic synapses, neuronal synchronization, inhibitory interneurons, cortical oscillations, interneuron networks
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Animals, Electrophysiology, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Interneurons, Nerve Net, Neural Inhibition, Synaptic Transmission, Synapses, Rats, Wistar, Neocortex, Rats, In Vitro Techniques

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