> worm neurons are non-spiking
What?
This is the first time I read that. That's fascinating. So they are very different then compared to what we have in humans? How do they work? Where can I read about this?
What?
This is the first time I read that. That's fascinating. So they are very different then compared to what we have in humans? How do they work? Where can I read about this?
The idea is that spiking is one way to have a more robust signal over long distances: Crustaceans often have nonspiking local interneurons and spiking projection neurons and motor neurons. The problem of fast, reliable electrical signal transduction over long distances is also solved by having more insulation (particularly in vertebrates) or having thicker cables (particularly in invertebrates).
Humans also have non-spiking neurons with graded synapses in the retina.
As I said, this is possibly out-of-date information. If there is someone here from the neuroscience field, they can probably make a better comment.
Not all the cells of the nervous system produce the type of spike that define the scope of the spiking neuron models. For example, cochlear hair cells, retinal receptor cells, and retinal bipolar cells do not spike.