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Inhibitory neurons, although relatively few in number, exert powerful control over brain circuits. They stabilize network activity in the face of strong feedback excitation and actively engage in computations. Recent studies reveal the importance of a precise balance of excitation and inhibition in neural circuits, which often requires exquisite fine-tuning of inhibitory connections. We review inhibitory synaptic plasticity and its roles in shaping both feedforward and feedback control. We discuss the necessity of complex, codependent plasticity mechanisms to build nontrivial, functioning networks, and we end by summarizing experimental evidence of such interactions.

Original publication

DOI

10.1146/annurev-neuro-072116-031005

Type

Journal article

Journal

Annu Rev Neurosci

Publication Date

25/07/2017

Volume

40

Pages

557 - 579

Keywords

GABA, feedback control, inhibition, modeling, network dynamics, synaptic plasticity, Animals, Feedback, Physiological, Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials, Memory, Nerve Net, Neural Inhibition, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Synapses