Effects of induced electric field on the sensitivity of a two-compartment neuron model

Sensitivity is one of the key characteristics of neurons in response to external stimuli. This study is based on a two-compartment Pinsky-Rinzel neuron model, which has been modified under the influence of a direct current induced electric field(DC-IEF). The research explores how this neuron model encodes stimuli from the DC-IEF, aiming to assess its sensitivity to firing in response to the induced electric field. Based on the two-compartment structural characteristics of the PR model neuron, the influence parameters of the model are altered under specific direct current stimulation to identify the state bifurcation points of the neuron at different parameters. At these bifurcation points, a DC-IEF is applied, and a planar graph is constructed to illustrate the relationship among firing rate, influence parameters, and electric field intensity. Through the analysis of the obtained data, it was found that PR neurons exhibit firing sensitivity to the DC-IEF. Furthermore, different influence parameters significantly affect their sensitivity and firing state.