Synchronization and energy balance of star network composed of photosensitive neurons

The information processing and encoding of nervous system requires complete collaboration of a large number of neurons in different functional regions of the brain, and the synchronization stability indicates the cooperative and competitive behaviors among neurons. Unusual synchronization is the main manifestation of brain functional diseases. It is an effective method to adjust the synchronization state of neurons by applying external stimulation. Indeed, quick creation and connection of synapses to neurons with appropriate intensity can regulate the collective behaviors of neurons effectively, and then, the energy diversity can be decreased to achieve energy balance. In this paper, a phototube is incorporated into a simple FitzHugh-Nagumo neural circuit for obtaining a light-sensitive neuron model, which is capable for simulating the neural activities in visual neurons. A star network is designed by connecting four photosensitive neurons with electric synapse. The coupling channel is controlled with an adaptive criterion and the coupling intensity is exponentially enhanced to a saturation threshold before the energy diversity between neurons reaches a tiny threshold. It is found that all identical neurons realize complete synchronization and energy balance no matter whether the neurons are presented in spiking, bursting, or chaotic patterns. Nevertheless, phase lock phenomenon occurs in the network when neurons are activated with showing different firing modes, and energy is pumped continuously along the coupling channels even the coupling intensity is further increased.

Automated summary

The collaboration of neurons in the nervous system is crucial for information processing and encoding, and synchronization stability reflects their cooperative and competitive behaviors. Adjusting the synchronization state of neurons through external stimulation is an effective method, which can lead to energy balance. A study introduced a light-sensitive neuron model into a neural circuit and designed a star network with electric synapses, showing complete synchronization and energy balance among neurons in different firing patterns.