Multi-channel shot noise and characterization of cortical network activity

Neurons in cerebral cortex are characterized by a stochastic subthreshold membrane potential (Vm) activity, which originates from the ongoing and irregular activity of neurons in the cortical network. Here, we propose a way of characterizing this network activity by using the notion of shot noise applied to pulse-based kinetic models of synaptic conductances. We link the statistical characterization of synaptic conductances in terms of their mean and variance to the activity in the network, in particular the average firing rate of presynaptic neurons and their temporal correlation, thus providing a possible method for characterizing cortical network activity from intracellularly recorded Vm activity. r 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.