Short-term synaptic dynamics promote phase maintenance in multi-phasic rhythms

Abstract

We show that in an inhibitory rhythmic network synaptic depression promotes phase constancy. As cycle period increases, the synapse recovers from depression and becomes more effective in delaying the postsynaptic cell. As a result, the delay between the pre- and postsynaptic bursts increases as cycle period increases. We discuss the dependence of the bursting phase of the postsynaptic cell on the strength and kinetics of the depressing synapse.