Synaptic plasticity - Short or Long Term

Synaptic plasticity is the ability of synapses to Strong or weak over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity. The capacity of the neural activity generated by an experience to modify neural circuit function and thereby modify subsequent thoughts, feelings, and behavior. 
                                                                                    Homeostatic plasticity, therefore, refers to a form of plasticity that helps neurons maintain a stable level of excitation in spite variations in network activity. The best example of homeostatic synaptic plasticity is the synaptic scaling occurring at the glutamatergic synapses received by neocortical pyramidal neurons.

The function of synaptic plasticity

The volume setting of the synapse, or the synaptic strength, is not static, but rather can change in both the short term and long term. Synaptic plasticity refers to these changes in synaptic strength. Neuroscientists also talk about short-term and long-term plasticity. Short-term synaptic plasticity refers to changes in synaptic strength that occur on a sub-second timescale: a rapid up or down adjustment of the volume control that helps determine how important that connection is to the ongoing conversation, but which reverts to “normal” soon afterward. Long-term synaptic plasticity lasts anywhere from minutes to hours, days, or years. Long-term plasticity is the dominant model for how the brain stores information—in other words, for how we create and remember new memories.

Synaptic plasticity specifically refers to the activity-dependent modification of the strength or efficacy of synaptic transmission at preexisting synapses. Plasticity is the ability of the brain to change and adapt to new information. 

Synaptic plasticity is a change that occurs at synapses, the junctions between neurons that allow them to communicate.

Synaptic plasticity controls how effectively two neurons communicate with each other. The strength of communication between two synapses can be likened to the volume of a conversation. When neurons talk, they do so at different volumes – some neurons whisper to each other while others shout.