Proximally targeted GABAergic synapses and gap junctions synchronize cortical interneurons
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Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings
Published on: January 10, 2015
1Department of Comparative Physiology, University of Szeged, Középfasor 52, Szeged H-6726, Hungary. gtamas@sol.cc.u-szeged.hu
Abstract:
Networks of GABAergic interneurons are implicated in synchronizing cortical activity at gamma frequencies (30-70 Hz). Here we demonstrate that the combined electrical and GABAergic synaptic coupling of basket cells instantaneously entrained gamma-frequency postsynaptic firing in layers 2/3 of rat somatosensory cortex. This entrainment was mediated by rapid curtailment of gap junctional coupling potentials by GABAA receptor-mediated IPSPs. Electron microscopy revealed spatial proximity of gap junctions and GABAergic synapses on somata and dendrites. Electrical coupling alone entrained postsynaptic firing with a phase lag, whereas unitary GABAergic connections were ineffective in gamma-frequency phasing. These observations demonstrate precise spatiotemporal mechanisms underlying action potential timing in oscillating interneuronal networks.
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