Inferring synaptic excitation/inhibition balance from field potentials

1. What is excitatory inhibitory balance?
2. What determines inhibition or excitation?
3. What is the difference between excitation and inhibition?
4. What is excitation inhibition?

What is excitatory inhibitory balance?

In the context of neurophysiology, balance of excitation and inhibition (E/I balance) refers to the relative contributions of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs corresponding to some neuronal event, such as oscillation or response evoked by sensory stimulation.

What determines inhibition or excitation?

Excitatory signaling from one cell to the next makes the latter cell more likely to fire. Inhibitory signaling makes the latter cell less likely to fire. At chemical synapses in the brain, glutamate and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) are transmitters for excitation and inhibition, respectively.

What is the difference between excitation and inhibition?

Neurons communicate through electrical currents called action potentials, which are either excitatory or inhibitory. Excitatory currents are those that prompt one neuron to share information with the next through an action potential, while inhibitory currents reduce the probability that such a transfer will take place.

What is excitation inhibition?

Excitation is the process by which a neuron's membrane potential (or voltage) increases. If excitation is sufficient, a neuron will produce an action potential. Inhibition is the process by y which a neuron's membrane potential (or voltage) decreases.