Pattern selection in coupled neurons under high-low frequency electric field

Abstract

Biological neurons exposed to an external electric field can induce polarization and charge fluctuation. Indeed, the exchange of calcium, sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane can induce an electric field as a result of a time-varying electromagnetic field set up. This field could further modulate the cell electrical activity by inducing multiple firing modes. Based on the physical law of electric field, an improved model which includes an additive electrical field variable is constructed for a network of neurons to study wave propagation and mode transition by exploring the longtime dynamics of slightly perturbed plane waves in the network. Wave pattern and mode transition dependence on the different parameters of external electric field are discussed. It is found that the plane wave propagating in the coupled system breaks down to localized structures under the activation of modulational instability. The network under high-low external electric field supports bursting synchronization. This could be a fruitful avenue to discern the occurrence of paroxysmal epilepsy.

Keywords

• Neural networks
• Modulational instability
• Soliton
• Bursting
• Synchronization