Abstract
Long-term modifications of neuronal connections are critical for reliable memory storage in the brain. However, their locus of expression-pre- or postsynaptic-is highly variable. Here we introduce a theoretical framework in which long-term plasticity performs an optimization of the postsynaptic response statistics toward a given mean with minimal variance. Consequently, the state of the synapse at the time of plasticity induction determines the ratio of pre- and postsynaptic modifications. Our theory explains the experimentally observed expression loci of the hippocampal and neocortical synaptic potentiation studies we examined. Moreover, the theory predicts presynaptic expression of long-term depression, consistent with experimental observations. At inhibitory synapses, the theory suggests a statistically efficient excitatory-inhibitory balance in which changes in inhibitory postsynaptic response statistics specifically target the mean excitation. Our results provide a unifying theory for understanding the expression mechanisms and functions of long-term synaptic transmission plasticity.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 177-189.e7 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Neuron |
Volume | 96 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 27 Sept 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 27 Sept 2017 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Hippocampus/physiology
- Long-Term Potentiation/physiology
- Long-Term Synaptic Depression/physiology
- Models, Neurological
- Neocortex/physiology
- Neural Inhibition/physiology
- Neuronal Plasticity/physiology
- Synaptic Transmission/physiology