Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Real-time Electrophysiology: Using Closed-loop Protocols to Probe Neuronal Dynamics and Beyond
Published on: June 24, 2015
Cooperative behavior in a jump diffusion model for a simple network of spiking neurons
Roberta Sirovich1, Laura Sacerdote, Alessandro E P Villa
1Department of Mathematics "G. Peano", University of Torino, Via Carlo Alberto 10, 10123 Torino, Italy. roberta.sirovich@unito.it.
Abstract:
The distribution of time intervals between successive spikes generated by a neuronal cell --the interspike intervals (ISI)-- may reveal interesting features of the underlying dynamics. In this study we analyze the ISI sequence --the spike train-- generated by a simple network of neurons whose output activity is modeled by a jump-diffusion process. We prove that, when specific ranges of the involved parameters are chosen, it is possible to observe multimodal ISI distributions which reveal that the modeled network fires with more than one single preferred time interval. Furthermore, the system exhibits resonance behavior, with modulation of the spike timings by the noise intensity. We also show that inhibition helps the signal transmission between the units of the simple network.
Related Concept Videos
Propagation of Action Potentials
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
Neuronal Communication
Neural Circuits
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Neurons: The Axon
The axon attaches to the cell body at a cone-shaped elevation called the axon hillock. The initial part of the axon, closest to the hillock, is known as the initial segment....
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....
Synaptic Signaling

