The synapse is typically viewed as a single compartment, which acts as a linear gain controller on incoming input. Traditional plasticity rules enable this gain control to be dynamically optimized by Hebbian activity. Whilst this view nicely captures postsynaptic function, it neglects the non-linear dynamics of presynaptic function. Here we present a two-compartment model of the synapse in which the presynaptic terminal first acts to filter presynaptic input before the postsynaptic terminal, acting as a gain controller, amplifies or depresses transmission. We argue that both compartments are equipped with distinct plasticity rules to enable them to optimally adapt synaptic transmission to the statistics of pre- and postsynaptic activity. Specifically, we focus on how presynaptic plasticity enables presynaptic filtering to be optimally tuned to only transmit information relevant for postsynaptic firing. We end by discussing the advantages of having a presynaptic filter and propose future work to explore presynaptic function and plasticity in vivo.

中文翻译：

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突触计算和可塑性的两部分模型。

突触通常被视为单个隔室，它充当传入输入的线性增益控制器。传统的可塑性规则使此增益控制可以通过Hebbian活动动态优化。尽管此视图很好地捕获了突触后功能，但它忽略了突触前功能的非线性动力学。在这里，我们介绍突触的两部分模型，其中突触前末端首先充当过滤突触前输入的作用，然后作为增益控制器的突触后末端放大或抑制传输。我们认为这两个区室都装备有不同的可塑性规则，以使它们能够使突触传递最佳地适应突触前和突触后活动的统计数据。特别，我们关注于突触前可塑性如何使突触前过滤得到最佳调整，以仅传输与突触后激发相关的信息。我们首先讨论使用突触前过滤器的优势，并提出未来的工作以探索体内的突触前功能和可塑性。