Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Contribution of the Na+/K+ Pump to Rhythmic Bursting, Explored with Modeling and Dynamic Clamp Analyses
Published on: May 9, 2021
Spike-rate adaptation and neuronal bursting in a mean-field model of brain activity
1School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. loxley@physics.usyd.edu.au
Abstract:
Spike-rate adaptation is investigated within a mean-field model of brain activity. Two different mechanisms of negative feedback are considered; one involving modulation of the mean firing threshold, and the other, modulation of the mean synaptic strength. Adaptation to a constant stimulus is shown to take place for both mechanisms, and limit-cycle oscillations in the firing rate corresponding to bursts of neuronal activity are investigated. These oscillations are found to result from a Hopf bifurcation when the equilibrium lies between the local maximum and local minimum of a given nullcline. Oscillations with amplitudes significantly below the maximum firing rate are found over a narrow range of possible equilibriums.
Related Concept Videos
Action Potential
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Neuronal Communication

