Rate model transient dynamics during the desynchronized brain state. From Top to Bottom: Stimulus-evoked mean instantaneous rate r(t), rate variance, instantaneous correlation ρ(t;T), and the instantaneous probability density of the system P(r,a,t) given as a time-varying color map plotted on the (r,a) phase plane (hotter colors indicate larger probability). Rate and adaptation nullclines are superimposed (white cubic curve and straight line, respectively). Statistics were obtained across 10,000 repeated stimulus presentations. Time points i–iii discussed in the main text are marked with dotted lines. Marginal distributions P(r,t) and P(a,t) are plotted next to the rate and adaptation axes, respectively. Parameters were I = 3.6 and β = 1.67.