4 ms·
What is the physical realisation of the synaptic weight? (Here's trouble, we do not know. It's not in just connectivity or myelination.)
by AstralStorm 6y ago
What is the physical realisation of the synaptic weight? (Here's trouble, we do not know. It's not in just connectivity or myelination.)
- jrussino 6y agoSee my response to your sibling comment; clearly we still have a lot to learn, but there is already some understanding of the biological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity (which I think is what the parent comment is referring to as "synaptic weights"). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_plasticity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_plasticity
- subroutine 6y agoThe physical realization is the number of postsynaptic receptors. In terms of fast excitatory transmission it is the quantity of AMPA receptors. You can potentiate or depress synapses by controlling the amount of these receptors. This has been demonstrated in vivo, and in cell culture. We are at the point where we can manipulate the strength of individual synapses. Here is a nice review article: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2013.0136?url_ver=Z39.88-2003 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2013.013...