Noiseª²induced changes of dynamic characteristics of neurons

    WEN Zhiª²Hong, HU Sanª²Jue, DONG Xiuª²Zhen, ZHU Junª²Ling, JIAN Zhong, XING Junª²Ling

    1PLA Institute of Neuroscience, 2Department of Medical Electronic Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To study the effects of noise on the subthreshold membrane potential oscillation (SMPO) and firing of neurons. METHODS: Changes of membrane potential induced by sineª²wave stimulus of different frequency was measured on Hodgkinª²Huxley (HH) computer model and SMOP and firing induced by noise of different intensity were also measured. RESULTS: The membrane potential induced by sineª²wave stimulus of different frequency was different, lower at lower and higher frequencies and higher at middle frequency range. With increased noise stimulus, the initial time of oscillation generation occurred earlier and the amplitude of oscillation increased. CONCLUSION: There is a range of frequency where the membrane potential response of neurons is stronger. Noise reduces the level of membrane potential of generating oscillation and firing. Noise helps neuron to generate oscillation and firing, thus improving the sensitivity of neurons. ......