Gap Junction Architecture and Synchronization Clusters in the Thalamic Reticular Nuclei

Anca Rădulescu, Eva Kaslik, Alexandru Fikl, Michael Anderson, Alex Norwood

Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science

doi:10.1063/5.0310120 preprint Chaos synchronization Cluster Dynamics Membrane Potential

Abstract

Neuronal synchronization can emerge through various coupling mechanisms, but its expression depends strongly on how these connections are organized. Gap junctions, in particular, can reshape inhibitory synchrony, sometimes reinforcing coherence, other times fragmenting it. Building on the classic Rinzel–Golomb model of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), we extend an inhibitory network to include gap-junction coupling arranged in biologically-motivated clustered patterns. In particular, we explore the effects of the size, strength, and spatial distribution of gap-junction clusters on synchronization, and how these effects are modulated by the level of background inhibition. Across conductance regimes, weak electrical coupling can transiently destabilize synchrony, while stronger or more extensive clustering promotes coherence or dampens oscillations. These results suggest that the spatial organization of electrical connectivity, together with inhibitory tone, plays a decisive role in shaping rhythmic coordination within TRN-like networks.

BibTeX

@article{RadulescuKaslikFiklAndersonNorwood_CHAOS_2026,
  title         = {
    Gap Junction Architecture and Synchronization Clusters in the Thalamic
    Reticular Nuclei
  },
  author        = {
    Anca Rădulescu and Eva Kaslik and Alexandru Fikl and Michael Anderson and
    Alex Norwood
  },
  year          = 2026,
  journal       = {Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science},
  publisher     = {AIP Publishing},
  volume        = 36,
  pages         = {63146–63146},
  doi           = {10.1063/5.0310120},
  eprint        = {2209.00384v2},
  issue         = 6,
  abstract      = {
    Neuronal synchronization can emerge through various coupling mechanisms,
    but its expression depends strongly on how these connections are organized.
    Gap junctions, in particular, can reshape inhibitory synchrony, sometimes
    reinforcing coherence, other times fragmenting it. Building on the classic
    Rinzel–Golomb model of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), we extend an
    inhibitory network to include gap-junction coupling arranged in
    biologically-motivated clustered patterns. In particular, we explore the
    effects of the size, strength, and spatial distribution of gap-junction
    clusters on synchronization, and how these effects are modulated by the
    level of background inhibition. Across conductance regimes, weak electrical
    coupling can transiently destabilize synchrony, while stronger or more
    extensive clustering promotes coherence or dampens oscillations. These
    results suggest that the spatial organization of electrical connectivity,
    together with inhibitory tone, plays a decisive role in shaping rhythmic
    coordination within TRN-like networks.
  },
}