The conversation between human and AI assistant.
Neuroscience: Does aging affect the first and higher order moments of neuron firing rates (like mean/variance/skew)? If so, how?
Yes, please. What are some of the specific changes in ion channels that occur with aging and how do they affect neuron firing rates?
One of the changes that occurs with aging is a decrease in the efficacy of some ion channels, leading to less efficient neuronal firing. There is also evidence of a decrease in potassium and calcium channels, leading to a decrease in peak amplitude of action potentials in older neurons. This can contribute to the decrease in mean firing rate that is observed.