Gap junctions are needed to stabilize slow bursting behaviour ?
A mathematical model of a two-cell network of mutually inhibitory and gap-junctionally coupled interneurons has been developed to help understand the genesis and control of slow bursting oscillations observed in rat brain slices. The model suggests a mechanism for stable bursting which relies on persistent sodium and slowly inactivating potassium currents in the individual neurons, and inhibitory synapses and gap junctions between the neurons. The work indicates that a role for gap-junctional coupling may be in the stabilization of these slow bursts.
gap junction bursting interneuron oscillation mutual inhibition