The response of a pacemaker neuron model to a train of transient inhibitory
impulsive perturbations is examined. The model reproduces the heterogeneou
s discharge forms and abrupt switchings displayed by the crayfish slowly ad
apting stretch receptor organ (Segundo et al., 1994, Neuroscience 62(2), pp
. 459-480). The non-monotonous aspect of the instantaneous firing rate of t
he model reflects the fact that in some regimes input and output rates are
both increasing, despite the inhibitory effect of the former. We determine
how such paradoxical acceleration takes place by analyzing the response of
the model using its phase transition curve. We show that paradoxical accele
ration results from the fact that the phase transition curve exhibits a lar
ge slowly increasing, almost linear section similar to that of living prepa
rations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.