Editing Neural Darwinism (section)

==== Secondary repertoire – experiential selection ====

The second tenet of TNGS regards postnatal events that govern the development of a secondary repertoire of synaptic connectivity between higher-order populations of neuronal groups whose formation is driven by behavioral or experiential selection acting on synaptic populations within and between neuronal groups. Edelman's notion of the secondary repertoire heavily borrows from work of [[Jean-Pierre Changeux]], and his associates [[Philippe Courrège]] and [[Antoine Danchin]] – and, their theory of selective stabilization of synapses.{{sfn|Changeux|Courrège|Danchin|1973}}

===== Synaptic modification =====

Once the basic variegated anatomical structure of the primary repertoire of neuronal groups is laid down, it is more or less fixed. But given the numerous and diverse collection of neuronal group networks, there are bound to be functionally equivalent albeit anatomically non-[[isomorphic]] neuronal groups and networks capable of responding to certain sensory input. This creates a competitive environment where neuronal groups proficient in their responses to certain inputs are "differentially amplified" through the enhancement of the synaptic [[efficacy|efficacies]] of the selected neuronal group network. This leads to an increased probability that the same network will respond to similar or identical signals at a future time. This occurs through the strengthening of neuron-to-neuron synapses. These adjustments allow for [[neural plasticity]] along a fairly quick timetable.