Noise resistance and enhancement of neural performance by using spike signals

In this paper, we analyze neural spike dynamics of a double feedback neural unit (DFNU). An essential emphasis of the analysis is on use of the DFNU´s simple formulations that can provide quantitative analytic results. Comparing dynamics of Hodgkin-Huxley model to that of the DFNU, it is shown that dynamics of the DFNU is also physiologically plausible under a condition. The results suggest that high-frequency firings are relatively appropriate for a neural informational carrier due to the reliability and robustness to noisy inputs. To realize such reliable spike communication, we improved the DFNU´s performance by using extra noisy inputs with appropriate amplitudes. Simulation studies show that there is optimal region of the amplitude that makes the DFNU possess the noise-enhanced reliable communication ability as similar to stochastic resonance phenomena.