Relationship between burst properties and sensitivity to input: a theoretical analysis.

This paper examines the sensitivity of endogenous bursters to a brief input pulse. The interneurons of the lobster cardiac ganglion were selected as a case study. Using a mathematical model specifically developed for the neurons in the cardiac ganglion of the lobster (Av-Ron et al., 1993), we show a tight link between burst characteristics and certain other parameters. We show that cells with different burst properties differ in their sensitivity to an input of a brief pulse. Irrespective of these differences, all cells display a bimodal response to a brief pulse applied during the quiescent period. During the first three-quarters of the quiescent period, they respond by producing a single spike at most. During the remaining one-quarter, the brief pulse can initiate the cells' intrinsic burst. Our predictions fit experimental results obtained by Tazaki and Cooke (1979). The results obtained herein are discussed with respect to fault tolerance considerations.