A Theoretical Study Exploring the Role of Synaptic Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanisms

Neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by progressive loss of neuronal structure and function, represent a major challenge in modern medicine, affecting millions worldwide through conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. While neuronal death is a hallmark of these disorders, emerging evidence suggests that synaptic dysfunction precedes neuronal loss and may be a critical early event in disease progression. Synaptic connections, the fundamental units of neural computation, exhibit remarkable plasticity that allows for adaptive information processing and memory formation. However, the complex interplay between short-term synaptic plasticity and neurodegenerative processes remains poorly understood. This project aims to develop computational models to investigate how alterations in short-term synaptic plasticity influence both the early symptoms and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Our modeling approach will specifically address how synaptic temporal dynamics may either contribute to disease vulnerability or potentially serve as compensatory mechanisms in maintaining neural circuit function under pathological conditions.