title: Spike generating dynamics and the conditions for spike-time precision in cortical neurons.
abstract: Temporal precision of spiking response in cortical neurons has been a subject of intense debate. Using a canonical model of spike generation, we explore the conditions for precise and reliable spike timing in the presence of Gaussian white noise. In agreement with previous results we find that constant stimuli lead to imprecise timing, while aperiodic stimuli yield precise spike timing. Under constant stimulus the neuron is a noise perturbed oscillator, the spike times follow renewal statistics and are imprecise. Under an aperiodic stimulus sequence, the neuron acts as a threshold element; the firing times are precisely determined by the dynamics of the stimulus. We further study the dependence of spike-time precision on the input stimulus frequency and find a non-linear tuning whose width can be related to the locking modes of the neuron. We conclude that viewing the neuron as a non-linear oscillator is the key for understanding spike-time precision.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Neurosciences Intégratives et Computationnelles, CNRS, UPR-2191, Bat. 33, Avenue de la Terrasse 1, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gutkin
authors.forename: G Bard
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Ermentrout
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudolph
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology