Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales

We review a body of theoretical and experimental research on Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity, starting from a puzzling observation: while homeostasis of synapses found in experiments is a slow compensatory process, most mathematical models of synaptic plasticity use rapid compensatory processes (...

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Main Authors: Zenke, F, Gerstner, W
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Royal Society 2017
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author Zenke, F
Gerstner, W
author_facet Zenke, F
Gerstner, W
author_sort Zenke, F
collection OXFORD
description We review a body of theoretical and experimental research on Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity, starting from a puzzling observation: while homeostasis of synapses found in experiments is a slow compensatory process, most mathematical models of synaptic plasticity use rapid compensatory processes (RCPs). Even worse, with the slow homeostatic plasticity reported in experiments, simulations of existing plasticity models cannot maintain network stability unless further control mechanisms are implemented. To solve this paradox, we suggest that in addition to slow forms of homeostatic plasticity there are RCPs which stabilize synaptic plasticity on short timescales. These rapid processes may include heterosynaptic depression triggered by episodes of high postsynaptic firing rate. While slower forms of homeostatic plasticity are not sufficient to stabilize Hebbian plasticity, they are important for fine-tuning neural circuits. Taken together we suggest that learning and memory rely on an intricate interplay of diverse plasticity mechanisms on different timescales which jointly ensure stability and plasticity of neural circuits.This article is part of the themed issue 'Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity'.
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spelling oxford-uuid:0684cca4-1f86-43df-8d28-fa230de457e42022-03-26T09:02:57ZHebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescalesJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:0684cca4-1f86-43df-8d28-fa230de457e4EnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordRoyal Society2017Zenke, FGerstner, WWe review a body of theoretical and experimental research on Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity, starting from a puzzling observation: while homeostasis of synapses found in experiments is a slow compensatory process, most mathematical models of synaptic plasticity use rapid compensatory processes (RCPs). Even worse, with the slow homeostatic plasticity reported in experiments, simulations of existing plasticity models cannot maintain network stability unless further control mechanisms are implemented. To solve this paradox, we suggest that in addition to slow forms of homeostatic plasticity there are RCPs which stabilize synaptic plasticity on short timescales. These rapid processes may include heterosynaptic depression triggered by episodes of high postsynaptic firing rate. While slower forms of homeostatic plasticity are not sufficient to stabilize Hebbian plasticity, they are important for fine-tuning neural circuits. Taken together we suggest that learning and memory rely on an intricate interplay of diverse plasticity mechanisms on different timescales which jointly ensure stability and plasticity of neural circuits.This article is part of the themed issue 'Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity'.
spellingShingle Zenke, F
Gerstner, W
Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales
title Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales
title_full Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales
title_fullStr Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales
title_full_unstemmed Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales
title_short Hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales
title_sort hebbian plasticity requires compensatory processes on multiple timescales
work_keys_str_mv AT zenkef hebbianplasticityrequirescompensatoryprocessesonmultipletimescales
AT gerstnerw hebbianplasticityrequirescompensatoryprocessesonmultipletimescales