title: A model for discharge patterns of primary auditory-nerve fibers.
abstract: A model for the synapse between an inner hair cell and afferent fiber is presented. The hair cell is assumed to release 25-100 quantized neurotransmitter packets per sec. Each packet causes an exponentially shaped unitary excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). Any particular afferent fiber is assumed to have a discharge threshold either above or below that of the unitary EPSP. Using any reasonable distribution of threshold values, the model produces a bimodal distribution of spontaneous discharge patterns. The group producing high spontaneous rates (greater than 20/sec) all have discharge thresholds below the unitary EPSP level, while the low-spontaneous group (rates less than 20/sec) all have discharge thresholds above that level. Other physiologically realistic results are obtained from the two groups.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D006199:Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents