Synaptic depression enables neuronal gain control

Jason S. Rothman, Laurence Cathala, Volker Steuber and R. Angus Silver ()
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Jason S. Rothman: Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Laurence Cathala: Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Volker Steuber: Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
R. Angus Silver: Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK

Nature, 2009, vol. 457, issue 7232, 1015-1018

Abstract: Higher mathematics for neurons Neurons are computational devices that perform mathematical operations such as additions, with their firing rate (or output) representing the sum of their synaptic conductances (or input). Multiplication, in turn, can result from changes in the slope - or gain - of such input-output relationship. Such changes in a neuron's sensitivity result from neuromodulation and are key to numerous higher brain computations, such as the visual system's ability to detect object orientation whatever the contrast. But mechanisms underlying neuronal gain modulation have been unclear. A new study in cerebellum demonstrates that short-term synaptic plasticity brings the fundamental nonlinearity, allowing neuromodulatory inhibition to act multiplicatively instead of additively.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07604

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