Scaling of unitary synaptic strength in the context of network dynamics

A fundamental consideration in understanding neuronal networks is determining what sets the unitary functional strength of a synaptic connection between two cells, and what meta-processes such mechanisms answer to. This question can be asked either mechanistically, by characterizing the molecular processes that regulate the synapse's transmission, or ontologically, by considering the impact of this transmission from the standpoint of neighboring synapses, the post synaptic cell itself, or the network of neurons in which it is situated. The work presented here practices both approaches, by identifying a new molecular mechanism to which the quantal size of excitatory synapses can be attributed, and then beginning to explore how quantal size might be influenced by network activity and architecture. Chapter 1 identifies a new molecular control point for specifying the quantal size of excitatory transmission in the mammalian brain, and provides the first known demonstration that such specification can be provided by a presynaptic process. It then details how this mechanism is regulated by network activity.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Wilson, Nathan R. (Nathan Richard)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Guosong Liu.

• Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33675

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33675