Burst-enhanced synchronization in an array of noisy coupled neurons

Stochastic phase synchronization is studied in an array of coupled neurons that are capable of exhibiting diverse bursting behaviors as a system parameter is tuned. It is found that synchronization occurs for lower coupling constants when the neurons are initially in a bursting state. Neurons not initially in a bursting state begin to exhibit bursting behavior concurrently with the onset of synchronization. The system passes through various synchronization regimes as the coupling constant is increased, with the number of spikes per burst increasing in each window of synchronization. In addition, spatial organization, measured by the distribution of local phase differences, is observed during the synchronization windows.