Abstract
Using a combination of asymptotic and numerical methods, the
effect of small noise on the bursting cycle of a neuronal burster of
elliptic type is investigated. The analysis is applied to a stochastic
model of an excitable spine, with an activity-dependent stem conductance,
that exhibits conditional burst dynamics. The study suggests that small
amplitude noise has the potential to significantly influence the
activity-dependent morphological plasticity of dendritic spines.
