title: Computational implications of biophysical diversity and multiple timescales in neurons and synapses for circuit performance.
abstract: Despite advances in experimental and theoretical neuroscience, we are still trying to identify key biophysical details that are important for characterizing the operation of brain circuits. Biological mechanisms at the level of single neurons and synapses can be combined as 'building blocks' to generate circuit function. We focus on the importance of capturing multiple timescales when describing these intrinsic and synaptic components. Whether inherent in the ionic currents, the neuron's complex morphology, or the neurotransmitter composition of synapses, these multiple timescales prove crucial for capturing the variability and richness of circuit output and enhancing the information-carrying capacity observed across nervous systems.
authors.affiliation: Volen Center and Biology Department, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, United States.
authors.forename: Julijana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gjorgjieva
authors.affiliation: Volen Center and Biology Department, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, United States; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Liège, Liège B-4000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Drion
authors.affiliation: Volen Center and Biology Department, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, United States. Electronic address: marder@brandeis.edu.
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marder
mesh_terms: D055592:Biophysical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D013995:Time