The Dendrites Gordon Research Conference reflects the growing understanding that dendrites might play a central role in neuronal computation. It has long been understood that up to thousands of synaptic inputs can arrive at different locations along a neuron’s dendrites and that the subsequent integrative process ultimately determines that neuron’s output. Recent advances in molecular, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques have led to a new picture of dendrites, and a deeper understanding of their computational role. In many instances, the dendrites themselves can be the engines of active processes that contribute to computation at the cellular and network levels.
Topics: Molecular, Cellular and Circuit Rules Underlying Dendritic Computation