Comparison between networks of conductance- and current-driven neurons: Stationary spike rates and subthreshold depolarization

The problem of an equivalence between conductance- and current-driven neurons in terms of mean stationary output rates is investigated. We show that it is possible to study a network of conductance-driven neurons by means of a mean field analysis of an equivalent network of current-driven neurons. The current drive is Gauss distributed and not voltage dependent. The equivalent network is composed by the same neurons and exhibits the same stable firing rates at the only price of having different connectivity. In addition, the differences in the subthreshold depolarization and the interspike-interval distribution can be studied at parity of output rates, providing a method to study those effects of the conductance drive which do not arise in a network of current-driven neurons.