Brains are built from many different kinds of neurons that vary in shape, size, neurotransmitter, and firing patterns.

1. Brains are built from many different kinds of neurons that vary in shape, size, neurotransmitter, and firing patterns. Why do some kinds of neurons project very widely in the brain, while others are confined to a small spatial region? Address the following:

a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of widespread and local neural connectivity

b) Give an example of a widely-connected neuron in the brain, and discuss how this connectivity pattern helps to solve a problem (circuit or behavioral)

c) Give an example of a locally-connected neuron in the brain, and discuss how this connectivity pattern helps to solve a problem (circuit or behavioral)

d) Do you think it would be easier to develop a therapeutic drug by searching for compounds that affect the activity of widely-connected or local neurons? Justify your answer.