Effects of channel noise on synchronization transitions in Newman-Watts neuronal network with time delays

In this paper, we numerically study the effect of ion channel noise on the synchronization of delayed Newman-Watts network of stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley neurons. It is found that time delay can induce synchronization transitions only when channel noise intensity is intermediate, and the synchronization transitions become most obvious when channel noise intensity is optimal. As channel noise intensity is varied, the neurons can also exhibit synchronization transitions, and the phenomenon is enhanced when time delay is tuned at around time delays that can induce synchronization transitions. Moreover, this phenomenon becomes most obvious when the value of coupling strength or the value of network randomness is optimal. These results show that channel noise has a subtle regulation effect on the synchronization of the neuronal network. These findings may find potential implications for the normal and pathological functions in the brain and the information processing and transmission in neural systems.