Styles of Neuronal Computation

ABS 1RAC r Neurons seldom serve as relay stations ; they typically transform their inputs in some manner to produce a new output function . A conventional processing path Within a neuron includes a cascaded series of steps, each capable of contributing characteristic styles of computation : passive spread of PSPs to a spike trigger zone, spike initiation and repetitive firing, spike propagation, and ultimately synaptic output. We now know of many neurons where this one-way cascade must be supplemented with additional processes, such as intermittent conduction or dendritic spikes . There are also simpler cases, such as the passive-to-synaptic cascade of spikeless neurons. Styles of computation (e .g ., arising from transient or sustained responsiveness, from high or low thresholds, and so forth) may be contributed by different stages of the cascade (e .g ., from spike initiation regions, from conduction in axons, from synaptic input-output processes) . Processing may thus differ among the various presynaptic regions of the same neuron .