Renewal-process approximation of a stochastic threshold model for electrical neural stimulation

In a recent set of modeling studies we have developed a stochastic threshol d model of auditory nerve response to single biphasic electrical pulses (Br uce et al., 1999c) and moderate rate (less than 800 pulses per second) puls e trains (Bruce et al., 1999a). In this article we derive an analytical app roximation for the single-pulse model, which is then extended to describe t he pulse-train model in the case of evenly timed, uniform pulses. This rene wal-process description provides an accurate and computationally efficient model of electrical stimulation of single auditory nerve fibers by a cochle ar implant that may be extended to other forms of electrical neural stimula tion.