Please forgive what may be an elementary question for many of you.
I am trying to understand the range of firing rates in an idealized neuron. I understand what governs the maximum firing rate of a neuron (the refractory period), however I would like to know how to figure out what the minimum firing rate would be.
The context of this neuronal excitation would be one of applying a constant, sustained electrical stimulus which barely satisfies the threshold requirement for an action potential to occur in the neuron. Put otherwise, the neuron would be exposed to the lowest level of sustained stimulation required to cause a steady spike train.
I have found information on average firing rates (in various species and in various parts of the nervous system and in response to various amplitudes of stimuli), but I have not found anything yet which describes how to find the lowest rate of firing in an idealized neuron. I also am unclear as to whether the threshold of an action potential refers to the minimum required to cause a single, solitary action potential (and it will not be repeated even if the stimulus is kept steady) OR if the threshold implies that the action potential would be repeated steadily. Please forgive my ignorance of the subject, as I am only just starting to study this fascinating and intimidating subject.
Thank you for your time and consideration!