Modeling bursting in neuronal networks using facilitation-depression and afterhyperpolarization (Q2213510)

In the absence of inhibition, excitatory neuronal networks can alternate between bursts and interburst interval. Since the dynamics of the neural network such as for example the duration of an epoch are unknown, a bursting model based on synaptic depression is developed. The afterhyperpolarization is a key component of the interburst interval. A three-dimensional dynamical system is introduced with the afterhyperpolarization by modifying the dynamics in certain portion of the phase-space. Noise perturbation on the voltage variable can produce bursting periods followed by interburst interval. The phase-space that contains three critical points, one attractor and two saddles. The distribution of burst durations is related to the one of the exit points on the stable manifold, delimiting the region of non bursting trajectories of the stable equilibrium. A linear approximation of the dynamical system is done to obtain a closed relation between the burst and afterhyperpolarization durations and key parameters. Then the network connectivity is studied in relation to the interburst intervals.