Skip to main content
Log in

Spike propagation during the refractory period in the stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley model

  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of noise on a spike train propagating on a nerve fiber during the relative refractory period are studied by using a stochastic version of the Hodgkin-Huxley model. Fluctuations in spike speeds due to the noise cause negative correlation between adjacent interspike intervals, while the dispersion relation due to the refractory causes positive correlation. A kinematic description of spike propagation yields expressions for changes in the autocorrelation and power spectrum of the interspike intervals during propagation. The power spectrum of the interspike intervals of an initially regular spike train first grows in proportion to 1 - cos(ω) and then becomes a white noise spectrum. Computer simulation shows that the form of the power spectrum is considerably changed on a small nerve fiber.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Conti F, De Felice LJ, Wanke E (1975) Potassium and sodium ion current noise in the membrane of the squid giant axon. J Physiol (London) 248:45–82

    Google Scholar 

  • George SA (1977) Changes in interspike interval during propagation: quantitative description. Biol Cybern 26:209–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkin AL, Huxley AF (1952) A quantitative description of membrane current and its application to conduction and excitation in nerve. J Physiol (London) 117:500–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Horikawa Y (1989) Filtering properties due to velocity dispersion on an axon (in Japanese). Trans IEICE Jpn 72-D2:621–629

    Google Scholar 

  • Horikawa Y (1991a) Propagation of a spike train on a nerve fiber model with a slow variable (in Japanese). Trans IEICE Jpn 74–0–2:248–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Horikawa Y (1991b) Noise effects on spike propagation in the stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley models. Biol Cybern 66:19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller RM, Rinzel J (1981) The dependence of impulse propagation speed on firing frequency, dispersion, for the Hodgkin-Huxley model. Biophys J 34:227–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Scriven DRL (1981) Modeling repetitive firing and bursting in a small unmyelinated nerve fiber. Biophys J 35:715–730

    Google Scholar 

  • Swadlow HA, Kocsis JD, Waxman SG (1980) Modulation of impulse onduction along the axonal tree. Ann Rev Biophys Bioeng 9:143–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuckwell HC (1989) Stochastic processes in the neurosciences. SIAM, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuckwell HC, Walsh JB (1983) Random currents through nerve membranes. Biol Cybern 49:99–110

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Horikawa, Y. Spike propagation during the refractory period in the stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley model. Biol. Cybern. 67, 253–258 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204398

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204398

Keywords

Navigation