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Related Concept Videos

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
Neural Circuits01:25

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Graded Potential01:19

Graded Potential

Graded potentials are localized fluctuations in the cell membrane's electrical charge, commonly found in the dendrites of neurons. The magnitude of these potential changes depends on the strength of the initiating stimulus. In a membrane at its resting potential, a graded potential signifies a voltage shift either above -70 mV or below -70 mV.
Graded potentials fall into two categories: depolarizing and hyperpolarizing. Depolarizing graded potentials typically occur when sodium (Na+) or calcium...
Electrical Synapses01:28

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
Integration of Synaptic Events01:28

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...

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Related Experiment Video

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Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo
10:19

Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo

Published on: March 31, 2016

Brain state-dependent neuronal computation.

Pascale P Quilichini1, Christophe Bernard

  • 1Aix Marseille Université, INS Marseille, France ; Inserm, UMR_S 1106 Marseille, France.

Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience
|October 13, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Brain networks dynamically alter neuronal firing patterns and functional connections to adapt to different brain states like learning or sleep. Neuromodulators play a key role in this communication mode switching.

Keywords:
brain stateinformation processingneuromodulatoroscillationresonance

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Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo
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Using Neuron Spiking Activity to Trigger Closed-Loop Stimuli in Neurophysiological Experiments

Published on: November 12, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience

Background:

  • Neuronal firing patterns (action potential frequency and timing) are crucial for brain information processing.
  • Neurons exhibit diverse firing patterns dependent on the brain state, influencing network rhythms (e.g., theta, gamma).
  • Brain networks can support state-dependent activities by modulating functional connectivity, not just fixed physical connections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for dynamic changes in neuronal firing patterns and functional connectivity.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying this neural versatility.
  • To understand the role of neuromodulators in switching communication modes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing neurophysiological and computational neuroscience literature.
  • Analysis of data on neuronal firing patterns and network dynamics.
  • Exploration of synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Neuronal firing patterns and functional connections between neurons change dynamically.
  • Brain state dictates specific network rhythms (e.g., theta, gamma, sharp wave ripples).
  • Intrinsic neuronal properties and synaptic modifications, influenced by neuromodulators, enable flexible communication.

Conclusions:

  • Brain networks exhibit remarkable adaptability through dynamic modulation of neuronal activity and connectivity.
  • Neuromodulation is a key mechanism allowing neurons to switch communication modes.
  • Understanding these dynamics is essential for deciphering brain function during various cognitive states.