Stochastic resonance in excitable neuronal system with phase-noise

Abstract

Stochastic resonance has been revealed as an important cue for understanding the performance of biological systems in detecting external weak signal. Here we show that the noise originated from signal phase may also induce stochastic resonance in an excitable neuronal system. We find that the neuronal system is better at detecting a subthreshold signal when the signal phase is not constant but time-varying like noise. Further, we find that an intermediate intensity of phase noise may help the neuronal system to obtain a optimal detection, forming an resonance-like phenomenon. Finally, a brief theory is formulated to explain the mechanism behind the resonance behavior. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.