Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
04:43
Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Sensory adaptation and short term plasticity as Bayesian correction for a changing brain
Ian H Stevenson1, Beau Cronin, Mriganka Sur
1Department of Physiology, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. i-stevenson@northwestern.edu
Plos One
|September 25, 2010
Summary
Neurons adapt to changing excitability to minimize perceptual errors. This study models optimal adaptation, explaining sensory tuning curve changes and short-term synaptic plasticity in the visual cortex.
Area of Science:
- Computational neuroscience
- Systems neuroscience
- Synaptic physiology
Background:
- Sensory neurons exhibit fluctuating excitability, introducing noise and potential perceptual errors.
- Postsynaptic neurons and synapses can adapt to counteract presynaptic excitability changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model how neurons optimally adapt to minimize the impact of changing presynaptic properties on their outputs.
- To link computational problems with cortical neuron properties and synaptic physiology.
Main Methods:
- Developed a Bayesian inference model for optimal neural adaptation.
- Applied the model to explain experimental data on sensory tuning curve adaptation in the early visual cortex.
Main Results:
- The Bayesian model explains observed sensory tuning curve adaptation properties and time-course.
- Short-term plasticity phenomena are interpreted as near-optimal adaptation solutions.
Conclusions:
- Neural adaptation is a near-optimal strategy for minimizing noise and perceptual errors.
- The proposed framework connects computational principles to neural and synaptic mechanisms in sensory processing.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
01:25Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
01:35Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
00:58Plasticity
Plasticity is the property where an object loses its elasticity and undergoes irreversible deformation, even after the deformation forces are eliminated. If a material deforms irreversibly without increasing stress or load, then this is called ideal plasticity. For example, when a force is applied to an aluminum rod, it changes its shape, but it does not return to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation or ductility is thus a permanent deformation or change in the...
01:20Parallel Processing
The brain processes sensory information rapidly due to parallel processing, which involves sending data across multiple neural pathways at the same time. This method allows the brain to manage various sensory qualities, such as shapes, colors, movements, and locations, all concurrently. For instance, when observing a forest landscape, the brain simultaneously processes the movement of leaves, the shapes of trees, the depth between them, and the various shades of green. This enables a quick and...
01:28Perception
Perception is a fundamental psychological process that enables individuals to organize, interpret, and consciously experience sensory information. This process is crucial for understanding and interacting with the world around us. It includes both bottom-up and top-down processing, each playing a distinct role in how we perceive our environment.
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...