How Do Short-Term Changes at Synapses Fine-Tune Information Processing?

Synaptic transmission is highly dependent on recent activity and can lead to depression or facilitation of synaptic strength. This phenomenon is called “short-term synaptic plasticity” and is shown at all synapses. While much work has been done to understand the mechanisms of short-term changes in the state of synapses, short-term plasticity is often thought of as a mechanistic consequence of the design of a synapse. This review will attempt to go beyond this view and discuss how, on one hand, complex neuronal activity affects the short-term state of synapses, but also how these dynamic changes in synaptic strength affect information processing in return.