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Abstract:
Neurons receive excitatory inputs via both fast AMPA and slow
NMDA type receptors. We find that neurons receiving input via
NMDA receptors can have two stable membrane states which are
input dependent. Action potentials can only be initiated from the
higher voltage state. Similar observations have been made in
several brain areas which might be explained by our model. The
interactions between the two kinds of inputs lead us to suggest
that some neurons may operate in 3 states: disabled, enabled and
firing. Such enabled, but non-firing modes can be used to
introduce context-dependent processing in neural networks. We
provide a simple example and discuss possible implications for
neuronal processing and response variability.
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