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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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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.
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Predictable Fluctuations in Excitatory Synaptic Strength Due to Natural Variation in Presynaptic Firing Rate.

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The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|September 28, 2022
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Summary

Synaptic strength in the brain fluctuates significantly over time, driven by natural variations in neuron firing rates. These dynamic changes, particularly in excitatory connections, are largely predictable and explained by short-term synaptic plasticity models.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience

Background:

  • * Synaptic responses are not constant and depend on short-term synaptic plasticity (STP) and spike timing.
  • * STP effects extend beyond subsecond timescales, influencing steady-state transmission via firing rate changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the relationship between natural presynaptic firing rate variations and synaptic transmission *in vivo*.
  • * To quantify slow fluctuations in synaptic efficacy and their predictability.

Main Methods:

  • * Analysis of large-scale spike recordings from awake mice (Allen Institute Neuropixels dataset).
  • * Detection of excitatory synaptic connections using cross-correlations.
  • * Model-based tracking of synaptic efficacy fluctuations.
  • * Computational modeling of postsynaptic spiking probability incorporating STP.

Main Results:

  • * Synaptic efficacy in putative excitatory connections varies substantially on slow (minute) timescales.
  • * Efficacy fluctuations correlate with presynaptic firing rate variations.
  • * Models incorporating STP accurately reproduce observed efficacy fluctuations.

Conclusions:

  • * *In vivo* synaptic transmission is highly dynamic, with efficacy fluctuating significantly.
  • * Slow efficacy fluctuations are predictable from presynaptic firing rates and explained by STP.
  • * Highlights the interplay between synaptic strength and firing rates in awake animals.