Distinct neural firing mechanisms to tonal stimuli offset in the inferior colliculus of mice in vivo

► IC neurons respond to tonal duration and fire at the offset in four patterns. ► Timing and balance between EPSC and IPSC determined the pattern of offset firings. ► Some neurons fire from the rebound depolarization to tone induced inhibitory inputs. ► Charge carried by offset synaptic inputs was largest at the preferred tonal duration.