Mutual inhibition increases adaptation rate in an electrosensory system

In the electrosensory system of mormyrid electric fish, responses of centra l neurons to sensory stimuli adapt to eliminate predictable sensory pattern s. This adaptation has been shown to rely on synaptic plasticity. However, the rules of synaptic plasticity alone underestimate the experimentally obs erved rate of adaptation. In this simulation study, mutual inhibition betwe en pairs of central neurons is shown to increase the adaptation rate into t he realistic range. The simulations are based on in vitro experimental stud ies to provide the relevant anatomy, physiology, and rules of synaptic plas ticity. The results are compared with rates of adaptation derived from in v ivo experiments. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.