Condition in which the response to a stimulus increases to a maximum even though the strength of the original stimulus is unchanged. In neurology, this occurs because of activation of increasing numbers of nerve fibers. During generalized seizures, a few abnormal neurons fire at first. They rapidly recruit other neurons, causing them to fire and quickly, the entire brain is involved. A similar process occurs in the heart muscle when a single irritable cell recruits others, leading to a potentially life-threatening rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia).
The phenomenon whereby an increase in the strength of a stimulus or repetition of the stimulus will stimulate increasing numbers of nerve cells to respond.
An increased response to a reflex when a stimulus is prolonged, even though the strength of the stimulus is unchanged, due to activation of increasingly greater numbers of motor neurons.