Principles of dendritic integration

The primary role of neurons is to integrate incoming information conveyed by synaptic input and convert it into an output, usually in the form of action potentials. This process is called synaptic integration. As the vast majority of synaptic input to neurons is made onto their dendrites, the morphology and membrane properties of dendrites play a critical role of this input–output transformation. This chapter discusses where action potentials are generated in neurons, as well as the various factors affecting how dendrites integrate synaptic potentials, highlighting the key role of dendritic excitability.