Suprathreshold Stochastic Firing Dynamics with Memory in <span class="aps-inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi mathvariant="italic">P</mi></math></span>-Type Electroreceptors

Maurice J. Chacron; André Longtin; Martin St-Hilaire; Len Maler

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.1576

Suprathreshold Stochastic Firing Dynamics with Memory in $P$ -Type Electroreceptors

Maurice J. Chacron, André Longtin, Martin St-Hilaire, and Len Maler

Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 1576 – Published 14 August 2000

Abstract

Weakly electric fish generate a periodic electric field as a carrier signal for active location and communication tasks. Highly sensitive $P$ -type receptors on their surface fire in response to carrier amplitude modulations (AM's) in a noisy phase locked fashion. A simple generic model of receptor activity and signal encoding is presented. Its suprathreshold dynamics, memory and receptor noise reproduce observed firing interval distributions and correlations. The model ultimately explains how smooth responses to AM's are compatible with its nonlinear phase locking properties, and reveals how receptor noise can sometimes enhance the encoding of small yet suprathreshold AM's.

Received 11 November 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.1576

Authors & Affiliations

Maurice J. Chacron¹, André Longtin¹, Martin St-Hilaire¹, and Len Maler²

¹Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ottawa, Canada K1N 6N5
²Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Smyth Road, Ottawa, Canada K1H 8M5