Synaptic Plasticity

Adaptive modification of synaptic strengths based on activity patterns — how neural systems learn through experience.

Key mechanisms include spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), where synapses strengthen when presynaptic spikes precede postsynaptic spikes and weaken otherwise. Homeostatic plasticity maintains overall activity levels. These local learning rules produce emergent system-level learning.

Systems Connection

Synaptic plasticity is adaptation at the component level. Each synapse adjusts its weight (part of the system state) based on local information only. Yet these distributed adjustments produce coherent learning at the system level — an example of emergence from simple local rules.

See Also

• Neuromorphics — parent domain
• Memristor — hardware implementing plasticity
• Adaptation — the systems concept plasticity instantiates