We explore the impact of spatially correlated noise on neuronal firing when uncoupled Hodgkin-Huxley model neurons are subjected to a common subthreshold signal. Noise can play a positive role in optimizing neuronal behavior. Although the output signal-to-noise ratio decreases with enhanced noise correlation, both the degree of synchronization among neurons and the spike timing precision are improved. This suggests that there can exist precisely synchronized firings in the presence of correlated noise and that the nervous system can exploit temporal patterns of neural activity to convey more information than just using rate codes. The mechanisms underlying these noise-induced effects are also discussed in detail.

• Received 6 May 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.69.011909