Spike-timing-dependent plasticity

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) is a process in the brain where the strength of connections between neurons changes based on the precise timing of their electrical signals, called spikes. If a neuron consistently fires just before its partner neuron, the connection between them strengthens, making communication easier. Conversely, if it fires after, the connection weakens. This timing-dependent adjustment helps the brain adapt, learn new skills, and store memories by reinforcing useful pathways and diminishing less relevant ones. Essentially, STDP fine-tunes neural networks through the exact timing of neural activity.