Non-synaptic plasticity plays a critical role in learning and memory
Non-synaptic plasticity—such as changes in neuronal excitability and intrinsic membrane properties—plays a critical, complementary role alongside synaptic changes in learning and memory formation.
The claim is specific, empirical, and testable. Multiple reviews and empirical studies (e.g., [0], [3], [4], [5], [7]) directly support the view that non-synaptic plasticity, such as modulation of intrinsic excitability and membrane conductances, is essential for learning and memory alongside traditional synaptic plasticity. No papers refute this view.
R. Mozzachiodi, J. Byrne. More than synaptic plasticity: Role of nonsynaptic plasticity in learning and memory. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2009.10.001
Paper [0] reviews evidence that memories are stored through non-synaptic processes like changes in neuronal excitability, acting either as part of the engram or setting circuits to a permissive state.
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Philip Tully, Matthias H Hennig, A. Lansner. Synaptic and nonsynaptic plasticity approximating probabilistic inference. 2014. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2014.00008
Paper [3] models how synaptic and non-synaptic mechanisms (such as intrinsic excitability and ionic conductances) jointly orchestrate learning and memory.
Shawn N Watson, Tara E Risling, Petra M Hermann, Willem C Wildering. Failure of delayed nonsynaptic neuronal plasticity underlies age-associated long-term associative memory impairment. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2202-13-103
Paper [4] demonstrates that age-associated memory impairment is linked to declining neuronal electrical excitability, highlighting the role of non-synaptic plasticity.
P. Benjamin, G. Kemenes. Invertebrate Models to Study Learning and Memory: Lymnaea. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008045046-9.00804-4
Paper [5] notes that both synaptic and non-synaptic plasticity (persistent membrane potential changes) are involved in long-term memory formation in invertebrate models.
P. Benjamin, G. Kemenes. Behavioral and circuit analysis of learning and memory in mollusks. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012370509-9.00068-1
Paper [7] discusses how non-synaptic mechanisms like changes in excitability are increasingly recognized as contributing to memory formation alongside synaptic plasticity.
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