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A synapse is a specialized structure where two neurons connect, allowing them to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. It is the point of communication between neurons. The term "synapse" is derived from the Greek word "synapsis," which means "conjunction." The entire process of neural communication revolves around the synapse. When activated, a neuron releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to...
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Uncovering bifurcation patterns in cortical synapses.

Michael Small1, Hugh P C Robinson, Ingo C Kleppe

  • 1Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong. ensmall@polyu.edu.hk

Journal of Mathematical Biology
|November 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Cortical synapses show complex dynamics. New models reveal these synapse dynamics range from periodic to chaotic, depending on stimulation frequency, impacting neural network behavior.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Biology
  • Complex Systems

Background:

  • Individual cortical synapses display intricate short-time dynamics under naturalistic stimulation.
  • Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending neural network function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To computationally model the dynamics of excitatory post-synaptic potential trains in individual cortical synapses.
  • To explore the range of dynamic behaviors exhibited by synapses using a novel nonlinear modeling approach.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a new nonlinear modeling scheme to analyze experimentally obtained excitatory post-synaptic potential trains.
  • Developed robust and repeatable computational models of synaptic dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Models predict a wide spectrum of synaptic dynamics, including periodic and chaotic behaviors.
  • Synapse response transitions from fixed-point to periodic and chaotic states based on stimulus frequency.
  • Individual synapse dynamics exhibit significant variability.

Conclusions:

  • Cortical synapses possess highly tuned individual behaviors.
  • The diverse dynamics of individual synapses contribute to potentially complex and varied behavior in small neural networks.