A nonlinear cascade model for action potential encoding in an insect sensory neuron

A. S. French, M. J. Korenberg

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31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Action potential encoding in the cockroach tactile spine neuron can be represented as a single-input single-output nonlinear dynamic process. We have used a new functional expansion method to characterize the nonlinear behavior of the neural encoder. This method, which yields similar kernels to the Wiener method, is more accurate than the latter and is efficient enough to obtain reasonable kernels in less than 15 min using a personal computer. The input stimulus was band-limited white Gaussian noise and the output consisted of the resulting train of action potentials, which were unitized to give binary values. The kernels and the system input-output signals were used to identify a model for encoding comprising a cascade of dynamic linear, static nonlinear, and dynamic linear components. The two dynamic linear components had repeatable and distinctive forms with the first being low-pass and the second being high-pass. The static nonlinearity was fitted with a fifth-order polynomial function over several input amplitude ranges and had the form of a half-wave rectifier. The complete model gave a good approximation to the output of the neuron when both were subjected to the same novel white noise input signal.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)655-661
Number of pages7
JournalBiophysical Journal
Volume55
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Support for this work was provided by the Medical Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Advisory Research Committee of Queen's University, and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Biophysics

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French, A. S., & Korenberg, M. J. (1989). A nonlinear cascade model for action potential encoding in an insect sensory neuron. Biophysical Journal, 55(4), 655-661. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3495(89)82863-2