spike-timing-dependent plasticity
Also written as: STDP — spike-timing-dependent plasticity
Form of synaptic plasticity where the relative timing of pre- and postsynaptic spikes determines synaptic strength changes.
Full Definition
Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) is a temporally precise form of synaptic plasticity in which the relative timing between presynaptic action potentials and postsynaptic spikes determines whether synaptic connections are strengthened or weakened. When presynaptic spikes precede postsynaptic spikes within a critical time window (typically 10-50 milliseconds), synapses undergo long-term potentiation. Conversely, when postsynaptic spikes precede presynaptic spikes, synapses undergo long-term depression. This mechanism is thought to underlie associative learning and the refinement of neural circuits during development.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as STDP; specify the time window when discussing experimental protocols.
In Context
- "The researchers investigated spike-timing-dependent plasticity rules in different types of cortical synapses." — Synaptic physiology study
- "Computational models incorporated spike-timing-dependent plasticity to simulate learning in neural networks." — Theoretical neuroscience paper