Synapses and Neurotransmitters

• Describe the pre- and post-synaptic events underlying fast synaptic transmission at a central synapse. How do synaptic inputs interact and what sort of computations could be implemented using synaptic input in dendritic trees?
• How random are synaptic events? And why (both from a functional as well as from a biophysical point of view)?
• What are neuromodulators? How do they work and where do they fit in from a computational point of view?
• Describe the serotonergic system in the brain. How does serotonin relate to behavior (for instance, the therapeutic use of the drug Prozac or crustacean behavior and serotonin)?
• List the two principal inhibitory neurotransmitters. How do they work? What are their antagonists (natural or synthetic) and what actions do they have?
• Describe the principles of quantal analysis in the peripheral and central nervous system.

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