Semi-passivity and synchronization of diffusively coupled neuronal oscillators (Q1038448)

The authors discuss synchronization in networks of neuronal oscillators which are interconnected via diffusive coupling, i.e. linearly coupled via gap junctions. They present sufficient conditions for synchronization in these networks using the theory of semi-passive and passive systems. They show that the conductance based neuronal models of Hodgkin-Huxley, Morris-Lecar, and the popular reduced models of FitzHugh-Nagumo and Hindmarsh-Rose all satisfy a semi-passivity property, i.e. that is the state trajectories of such a model remain oscillatory but bounded provided that the supplied (electrical) energy is bounded. As a result, for a wide range of coupling configurations, networks of these oscillators are guaranteed to possess ultimately bounded solutions. Moreover, the authors demonstrate that when the coupling is strong enough the oscillators become synchronized. The theoretical conclusions are confirmed by computer simulations with coupled Hindmarsh-Rose and Morris-Lecar oscillators. Finally authors also discuss possible ``instabilities'' in networks of oscillators induced by the diffusive coupling.