Channel current fluctuations conclusively explain neuronal encoding of internal potential into spike trains

Hodgkin and Huxley's seminal neuron model describes the propagation of voltage spikes in axons, but it cannot explain certain full-neuron features crucial for understanding the neural code. We consider channel current fluctuations in a trisection of the Hodgkin-Huxley model, allowing an analytic-mechanistic explanation of these features and yielding consistently excellent matches with in vivo recordings of cerebellar Purkinje neurons, which we use as model systems. This shows that the neuronal encoding is described conclusively by a soft-thresholding function having just three parameters.

Automated summary

The Hodgkin and Huxley neuron model explains voltage spike propagation in axons, but falls short in explaining certain key features of the neural code. By analyzing channel current fluctuations in a trisection of the model, it was found that neuronal encoding can be conclusively described by a soft-thresholding function with just three parameters. This explanation provided excellent matches with in vivo recordings of cerebellar Purkinje neurons, supporting its validity.