First spike latency sensitivity of spiking neuron models

First spike latency is the long-lasting period preceding the first spike of a neuron submitted to a super-threshold stimulus. It has been suggested that this latency could code for stimulus recognition in several sensory systems. To encode information reliably, first spike latency should be sensitive to sensory inputs but robust to external perturbations. This paper studies the robustness of the first spike latency in spiking neuron models. We show the interplay between bistability, first spike latency and a type of neuronal excitability called regenerative excitability.