INTRODUCTION: In the central nervous system, neuronal communication is accomplished by structures called synapses: electrical or chemical. Electrical synapses are formed by the apposition of plasmatic membranes at gap junctions and the interaction of connexin subunits from two neurons. At this site, connexin complexes create intercellular pores that communicate the cytoplasm of adjacent neurons and allow free flow of ions and small molecules. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we will present and discuss recent results showing the possible involvement of electrical synapses in the neuronal hypersynchronization during epileptic seizures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When a neuron is depolarized, ions flow very rapidly from one cell to the other promoting high neuronal synchrony. More recently, the role of gap junctions in the generation and propagation of epileptic discharges has been investigated using combined approaches of in vivo, in vitro and in silico (computational) models.
Gap junctions; eletrical synapses; connexin and epileptic seizures
