Network Functions and Plasticity

Chapter 1. Electrical Coupling in Caenorhabditis elegans Mechanosensory Circuits

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Nose Touch Circuit
• 3. Simplified Mathematical Model of the Nose Touch Circuit
• 4. Lateral Facilitation
• 5. Inhibition by Shunting
• 6. Conclusions and Future Perspectives
• Outstanding Questions/Future Directions

Chapter 2. Neural Circuits Underlying Escape Behavior in Drosophila: Focus on Electrical Signaling

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Drosophila Giant Fiber System
• 3. Electrical Transmission in the GFS: Molecules and Mechanisms
• 4. Chemical Transmission in the GFS: Transmitters and Receptors
• 5. The GF Circuit Is Responsible for Short-Mode Escape
• 6. Summary
• Questions Arising

Chapter 3. Gap Junctions Underlying Labile Memory

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Gap Junctions Between APL and DPM Neurons for Labile Memory
• 3. Dual Role of APL Neuron in ITM Through Gap-Junctional and Octopaminergic Chemical Neurotransmission
• 4. Nonspiking APL and DPM Neural Network
• 5. Labile Memory Circuit of Persistent Activity
• 6. Summary and Implication
• Outstanding Issues and Future Research

Chapter 4. The Role of Electrical Coupling in Rhythm Generation in Small Networks

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Rhythmogenesis
• 3. Synchronized Oscillations
• 4. Pattern Generation
• 5. Neuromodulation
• 6. Summary
• Outstanding Issues and Future Directions

Chapter 5. Network Functions of Electrical Coupling Present in Multiple and Specific Sites in Behavior-Generating Circuits

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Feeding Neural Circuit in Aplysia
• 3. Other Neural Circuits in Gastropod Molluscs
• 4. Summary
• Future Directions

Chapter 6. Electrical Synapses and Learning–Induced Plasticity in Motor Rhythmogenesis

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Electrical Synapses in the Organization of Behavioral Actions
• 3. Plasticity of Electrical Synapses
• 4. Implication of Electrical Synapses in Learning, Memory, and Motor Rhythmogenesis in Mammals
• 5. Role of Electrical Synapses in the Induction of Compulsive-Like Behavior in Aplysia
• 6. Conclusion
• Outstanding Questions

Chapter 7. Electrical Synapses and Neuroendocrine Cell Function

• 1. Neuroendocrine Cells
• 2. Gap Junctions and Electrical Coupling in Neuroendocrine Cells
• 3. The X-Organ-Sinus Gland Complex of Crustacea
• 4. The Prothoracic Gland and Intrinsic Neurosecretory Cells of the Corpora Cardiaca From Insecta
• 5. The Beta Cells of the Vertebrate Pancreas
• 6. The Chromaffin Cells of the Vertebrate Adrenal Medulla
• 7. The Magnocellular Neuroendocrine Cells of the Mammalian Hypothalamus
• 8. The Bag Cell Neurons of Aplysia and Caudodorsal Cells of Lymnaea
• 9. The Influence of the Extent and Strength of Electrical Coupling on Neuroendocrine Cell Function
• 10. Concluding Remarks

Chapter 8. Electrical Synapses in Fishes: Their Relevance to Synaptic Transmission

• 1. Introduction: The Discovery of Electrical Transmission
• 2. Supramedullary Neurons in the Puffer Fish: The First Evidence of Electrical Coupling Between Vertebrate Neurons
• 3. Electric Fishes: Contribution of Electrical Synapses to Synchronized Neuronal Activity
• 4. Club Endings in Goldfish: Electrical and Chemical Synapses Can Interact
• 5. Retina: Modulation of Electrical Transmission and the Identification of Neuronal Connexins
• 6. Zebrafish: Connexin Diversity and Common Developmental Steps for Chemical and Electrical Synapses
• 7. Conclusions

Chapter 9. Dynamic Properties of Electrically Coupled Retinal Networks

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Overview of the Synaptic Architecture of the Retina
• 3. Gap Junction Coupling Differentially Modifies Receptive Field Size in Different Retinal Cell Types
• 4. Gap Junctions Are Required for Nighttime Vision
• 5. Gap Junctions Promote Spontaneous Activity During Retinal Degeneration
• 6. Electrical Synapses Are Important for Signaling Visual Motion
• 7. Fast Gap Junction Signals Drive Fine-Scale Correlated Spike Output
• 8. Summary and Future Directions

Chapter 10. Circadian and Light-Adaptive Control of Electrical Synaptic Plasticity in the Vertebrate Retina

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Photoreceptors
• 3. Horizontal Cells
• 4. Amacrine Cells
• 5. Concluding Remarks
• Outstanding Questions

Chapter 11. Electrical Coupling in the Generation of Vertebrate Motor Rhythms

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Electric Fish
• 3. Chewing
• 4. Gap Junctions in the Spinal Cord and Locomotor Rhythmogenesis
• 5. Involvement of Electrical Coupling in the Neural Control of Breathing
• 6. Concluding Remarks
• Outstanding Issues and Future Research

Chapter 12. Implications of Electrical Synapse Plasticity in the Inferior Olive

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Electrical Coupling in the IO and Movement
• 3. Electrical Coupling and Subthreshold Oscillations in the IO
• 4. Enhancing STOs by Upregulating Electrical Coupling by NMDA Receptor Activation
• 5. A Hypothesis of Strengthening Plasticity of Electrical Synapses During the Learning of Motor Synergies
• Outstanding Questions

Chapter 13. Gap Junctions Between Pyramidal Cells Account for a Variety of Very Fast Network Oscillations (>80Hz) in Cortical Structures

• 1. Where Did the Idea of Axonal Gap Junctions Come From?
• 2. If Axonal Gap Junctions Exist, How Might They Account for VFO?
• 3. Physiological Evidence for Axonal Gap Junctions
• 4. Anatomical Evidence for Axonal Gap Junctions
• 5. Predictions of the Axonal Gap Junction Model of VFO, and Specifically of Ripples
• 6. What Might the Gap Junction Protein Be?
• 7. Clinical Implications

Chapter 14. Lineage-Dependent Electrical Synapse Formation in the Mammalian Neocortex

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Composition of Electrical Synapses in the Mammalian Neocortex
• 3. Lineage-Dependent Specificity of Electrical Synapses in the Mouse Neocortex
• 4. Progressive Development of Electrical Synapses Between Sister Excitatory Neurons
• 5. Mechanisms Underlying Lineage-Dependent Electrical Synapse Formation
• 6. Significance of Lineage-Dependent Electrical Synapses in Neocortical Microcircuit Assembly
• 7. Conclusions
• Outstanding Questions