Synaptic Plasticity: Forms and Mechanisms

This lecture explores various forms of synaptic plasticity, including short-term and long-term enhancement and depression. It delves into the mechanisms behind synaptic plasticity, such as NMDAR and AMPAR involvement, and the importance of calcium in inducing and maintaining plastic changes. The lecture also discusses experimental protocols used to study plasticity, like high and low-frequency stimulations, and spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Different computational models, including rate-based and voltage-based models, are presented to explain synaptic plasticity phenomena. The lecture concludes by highlighting the significance of calcium-based models in understanding the complex dynamics of synaptic plasticity.