Mean discharge frequency locking in the response of a noisy neuron model to subthreshold periodic stimulation

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Abstract
Leaky integrate-and-fire neuron models display stochastic resonancelike behavior when stimulated by subthreshold periodic signal and noise. Previous works have shown that matching between the time scales of the noise induced discharges and the modulation period can account for this phenomenon at low modulation amplitudes, but not large subthreshold modulation amplitude. In order to examine the discharge patterns of the model in this regime, we introduce a method for the computation of the power spectral density of the discharge train. Using this method, we clarify the role of the distribution of the input phase at discharge times. Finally, we argue that for large subthreshold inputs, mean discharge frequency locking accounts for the enhanced response.