Ephaptic coupling

Ephaptic coupling is indirect communication within the nervous system through extracellular electric fields, as opposed to direct communication via electrical synapses or chemical synapses. Ephaptic communication has been observed in myelinated nerve fibers.[1]

Recent research has shown evidence for ephaptic coupling in the cortex of the brain.[2][3]. This is remarkable evidence that changes in electric field contribute to computations performed in the brain [4].

References

  1. ^ S. Binczak, J.C. Eilbeck and A.C. Scott (May 23, 2000). "Ephaptic Coupling of Myelinated Nerve Fibers". http://www.ma.hw.ac.uk/~chris/ephaptic2.pdf. 
  2. ^ Anastassiou, C. A.; Perin, R.; Markram, H.; Koch, C. (2011). "Ephaptic coupling of cortical neurons". Nature Neuroscience 14 (2): 217. doi:10.1038/nn.2727. PMID 21240273.  edit (direct link to full text)
  3. ^ "Ephaptic coupling: Could be how brains coordinate". SciTechStory. February 4, 2011. http://scitechstory.com/2011/02/04/ephaptic-coupling-could-be-how-brains-coordinate/. 
  4. ^ Aur D., Jog, MS., 2010 Neuroelectrodynamics: Understanding the brain language, IOS Press, 2010

See also