Problem set #5.  NENS 220, 2009

At this point in the class we have learnt many mechanism that change the properties of a neuron and connections between neurons. This problem set will give you an opportunity to manipulate any or all of those parameters.

In this problem set you should use the model neuron from the second problem set as your post-synaptic neuron, everything else is up to your discretion. Feel free to look back at the tutorial, and/or the previous problems sets for coding help.

1) Synaptically connect two neurons (where, how, and how many times are up to you), and generate a sensitivity plot (i.e. how sensitive is the postsynaptic neuron to input from the presynaptic neuron); explaining your decisions.

2) Manipulate your generated sensitivity plot in at least two ways.

a. Additive/subtractive gain: This means that across some range your manipulation does the equivalent of adding/subtracting a single number to each point on your sensitivity plot.

b. Multiplicative/divisive gain: This means that across some range your manipulation does the equivalent of multiplying/dividing a single number to each point on your sensitivity plot.

You should relate your manipulations to something we discussed in class. Justify why/how your manipulation is a good computational stand-in for your chosen mechanism.

Hypothesize as to the reason for the additive/subtractive or multiplicative/divisive effect of your manipulation.

(N.B. a additive/subtractive or multiplicative/divisive effect need not be present throughout the whole sensitivity plot)