specialized junction where Neuron passes and electrical/chem signal to another cell. in Computational Neuroscience we see them as dynamic, modifiable computational nodes actigng as sites for learning and memory.
- site of plasticity: physical substrates for Experience dependent plasticity. Efficicacy/weight is continually modified by the temporal correlation of Presynaptic Neuron|presynaptic and postsynaptic acitivty, think Hebbian learning rules
- information transfer, act as filters/optimal estimators that process and relay signals while mediating energy constraints and statistical surprise.
- probablistic integration - instead of purely acting as static on/off switches, they use short term plasticity to continually adapt to chaning environmental uncertainties and task requirements.
