A Simple Generalized Excitability Model Mimicking Salient Features of Neuron Dynamics

A generalization of the FitzHugh—Nagumo model for excitability is provided to account for salient features of Inferior Olive neurons. The base state is a limit cycle and excitability appears as spiking over peaks of the oscillations. The response of the model to various types of external stimulus is also presented. In particular, we show the relevance of an appropriate balance between amplitude and duration of the stimulus.