Neuroglia electrically coupled to neurons.
Applied electric current is transmitted between mammalian glial cells grown in tissue culture. A similar electrical coupling exists between certain neurons as well as between neuroglia and neurons. Although this phenomenon may be a peculiarity of mammalian neural cells maintained in culture, it may, on the other hand, represent a phenomenon with greater neurophysiological significance, a process whereby neurons can become silent.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009457:Neuroglia; D009474:Neurons; D051381:Rats; D009435:Synaptic Transmission