. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Dec 10.

Published in final edited form as: Neuroscientist. 2015 Jul 6;21(5):460–474. doi: 10.1177/1073858415592377

Table 1.

Elements that Control Network Function and Interaction.

A. Neuronal properties

1. Burst firing

2. Gap junctions

3. Electrical field effects (ephaptic interactions)

B. Neuroactive agent (endogenous and exogenous, e.g., CNS drugs)

4. Excitatory or inhibitory

5. Endogenous or exogenous

6. Synaptic or volume transmission

7. Tonic or phasic

C. Neuronal milieu

8. Extracellular ions and gases (O₂, CO₂)

9. Temperature

10. Buffering capacity (pH)

D. Network connections

11. Interneuron activity

12. Astrocytic integration

13. External stimuli

14. Multiplicity of synaptic inputs

E. Cyclic and “life cycle” events (development, experience, degeneration, aging, and repair)

15. Brain state (circadian, sleep, coma)

16. Synaptic plasticity (strength changes, synaptogenesis)

17. Neurogenesis

18. Neurodegeneration