Gap junction architecture and synchronization clusters in the thalamic reticular nuclei

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.