On the spectra of certain integro-differential-delay problems with applications in neurodynamics (Q617528)

The authors investigated the spectrum of certain integro-differential-delay equations which arise naturally within spatially distributed, nonlocal, pattern formation problems. Their approach was based on the reformulation of the relevant dispersion relations with the use of the Lambert function. They considered the case of the Amari delay neural field equation which describes the local activity of a population of neurons taking into consideration the finite propagation speed of the electric signal. They show that if the kernel appearing in this equation is asymmetric or has a peak away from the origin, then the relevant dispersion relation yields spectra with an infinite number of branches. They numerically surveyed the structure of the entire spectra and argue that a detailed knowledge of this structure is important within neurodynamical applications.