What is ephaptic transmission?

Ephaptic transmission is a form of neuronal communication that occurs through the physical interaction between neighboring neurons. Unlike conventional synaptic transmission, which relies on the release of neurotransmitters to transmit signals from one neuron to another, ephaptic transmission occurs when the electrical activity of one neuron influences the electrical activity of its neighboring neurons.

This form of communication has been observed in various regions of the brain, including the hippocampus, cortex, and retina. It is thought to play a role in neural processing and information coding, as well as pathological conditions such as epilepsy.

Ephaptic transmission can occur through direct coupling between neurons, such as through gap junctions, or through indirect coupling, such as through the extracellular field effect. The mechanisms underlying ephaptic transmission are still being investigated, but it is believed to involve changes in the electrical properties of cell membranes, ion channel gating, and synaptic transmission.

Overall, ephaptic transmission represents an alternative means of neuronal communication that may have important implications for our understanding of neural function and disease.