Chimera states in networks of type-I Morris-Lecar neurons

Chimeras are complex spatiotemporal patterns that emerge as coexistence of both coherent and incoherent groups of coupled dynamical systems. Here, we investigate the emergence of chimera states in nonlocal networks of type-I Morris-Lecar neurons coupled via chemical synapses. This constitutes a more realistic neuronal modeling framework than previous studies of chimera states, since the Morris-Lecar model provides biophysically more relevant control parameters to describe the activity in actual neural systems. We explore systematically the transitions of dynamic behavior and find that different types of synchrony appear depending on the excitability level and nonlocal network features. Furthermore, we map the transitions between incoherent states, traveling waves, chimeras, coherent states, and global amplitude death in the parameter space of interest. This work contributes to a better understanding of biological conditions giving rise to the emergence of chimera states in neural medium.