Circadian synchrony in networks of protein rhythm driven neurons

The interaction between gene activation and cellular activity has recently emerged as a critical aspect of brain behavior, but the dynamics of networks incorporating these interactions are poorly understood. An interesting phenomena arises when the genetic activation oscillates endogenously and a network of such cells synchronize to a coherent rhythm, such as is the case with the suprachiasmatic nucleus. To explain this synchronization, we propose a model in which a mRNA/protein expression cycle drives neurons electrical activity, and synaptic activation shifts the phase of the protein rhythm. Using lattice networks, we demonstrate that these interactions are sufficient to generate coherent oscillation. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.