1932

Abstract

Neurons and synapses display a rich range of time-dependent processes. Which of these are critical to understanding specific integrative functions in the brain? Computational methods of various kinds are used to understand how systems of neurons interact to produce behavior. However, these models often assume that neuronal dynamics and synaptic strengths are fixed. This review presents some recent models that illustrate that short-term synaptic plasticity mechanisms such as facilitation and depression can have important implications for network function. Other features of synaptic transmission such as multi-component synaptic potentials, cotransmission, and neuromodulation with obvious potential computational implications are presented. These examples illustrate that synaptic strength and intrinsic properties in networks are continuously varying on numerous time scales as a function of the temporal patterns of activity in the network. Thus, both firing frequency of the neurons in a circuit, and the modulatory environment determine the intrinsic and synaptic properties that produce behavior.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.neuro.21.1.25
1998-03-01
2024-03-29
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.neuro.21.1.25
Loading
/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.neuro.21.1.25
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Review Article
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error