Electrical synapses interconnecting axons revealed in the optic nerve head - a novel model of gap junctions' involvement in optic nerve function.

Optic nerve (ON) axons are equipped with electrical synapses composed of neuronal connexins, especially Cx45, creating direct morphological and functional connections between each other. This finding could have substantial implications for understanding of the pathogenesis of various optic neuropathies and identifies a new potential target for a therapeutic approach.