Neurons can perform mathematical operations such as additions, with their firing rate (the output) representing the sum of their synaptic conductances (the 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. A study using rat cerebellum demonstrates that short-term synaptic plasticity brings the fundamental non-linearity, allowing neuromodulatory inhibition to act multiplicatively instead of additively.
- Jason S. Rothman
- Laurence Cathala
- R. Angus Silver
