Neuron

The fundamental component of neural systems — a processing unit that integrates inputs and produces discrete output events (spikes).

In biological neurons, dendrites receive signals, the soma integrates them, and the axon transmits spikes when a threshold is crossed. Artificial neurons in neuromorphic systems model this integrate-and-fire behavior at varying levels of biological fidelity.

Systems Connection

A neuron is a component whose state (membrane potential) evolves based on input flows (synaptic currents). When state crosses a threshold, it produces output (a spike) and resets. This threshold behavior creates nonlinear dynamics that enable emergent computation in neural networks.

Neuron Models

• Leaky Integrate-and-Fire (LIF) — simple, computationally efficient
• Izhikevich — captures diverse spiking patterns
• Hodgkin-Huxley — biophysically detailed

See Also

• Neuromorphics — parent domain
• Spike — neuron output
• Synapse — connections between neurons
• Spiking Neural Network — networks of neurons