OFF Response (OFF Response)
OFF response is a phenomenon whereby a neuron responds to a stimulus by inhibiting its own activity. This response is the opposite of the ON response, which is an excitation of neuron activity. OFF responses are a form of negative feedback, which are important for regulating the activity of neurons and controlling the flow of information within the brain.
OFF responses play an important role in sensory coding. In the visual system, for example, OFF responses are essential for the detection of dark edges. These responses allow neurons to detect changes in light intensity and then adjust the firing rate accordingly. OFF responses are also important for the maintenance of contrast adaptation, allowing neurons to adjust their sensitivity to visual stimuli over time.
OFF responses are also important for controlling the amplitude of sensory responses. In the auditory system, OFF responses help to dampen the amplitude of sound-evoked responses, which helps to reduce the amount of noise in the auditory system. This is an important factor for maintaining the quality of auditory information.
OFF responses can also be used to modulate the activity of other neurons. For example, OFF responses can be used to inhibit the activity of neighboring neurons, which can be important for controlling the timing of neural responses.
OFF responses are also important for controlling the strength of inputs to neurons. In the visual system, OFF responses help to reduce the amount of light entering the eye, which helps to regulate the amount of signal that is sent to the brain. This can be important for maintaining the accuracy of sensory information.
Finally, OFF responses are important for controlling the output of motor neurons. OFF responses can help to inhibit the activity of motor neurons, which helps to regulate the speed and accuracy of motor outputs. This can be important for maintaining the accuracy of movement.
Overall, OFF responses are an important component of the neural circuitry that regulates the flow of information and controls the activity of neurons. They are essential for the proper functioning of sensory and motor systems.
References
Barlow, H. B. (1961). Possible principles underlying the transformation of sensory-information. Sensory communication, 1(4), 217-234.
Barlow, H. B. (1965). The coding of sensory messages. In The code of sensory messages (pp. 263-279). MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.
Schieber, M. H., & Poggio, T. (1993). On the role of inhibition in the control of visuomotor behavior. Annual review of neuroscience, 16(1), 599-631.
Sillito, A. M. (1975). The contribution of inhibitory processes to the receptive field properties of neocortical neurons. The Journal of physiology, 250(3), 305-329.
Tsumoto, T. (1992). Modulation of sensory responses by inhibition. Annual review of neuroscience, 15(1), 405-430.