Chaotic neuron clock

TL;DR

This paper models neuron firing using a chaotic Rossler attractor, transforming its irregular signals into spike patterns, and compares the results with experimental data from hippocampal neurons, showing good agreement.

Contribution

It introduces a threshold model of neuron firing based on the chaotic Rossler attractor and demonstrates its relevance by matching experimental neuronal spectra.

Findings

Model reproduces key spectral features of neuronal firing

Strong periodic component from Rossler attractor influences spike timing

Good agreement between model and in vitro neuronal data

Abstract

A simple threshold model of neuron firing (with the neuron membrane electrochemical potential governed by the chaotic Rossler attractor) has been analyzed by mapping the generated irregular spiking time-series into telegraph signals. In this model the fundamental frequency of the chaotic Rossler attractor provides (with a period doubling) the strong periodic component of the generated irregular signal. The exponentially decaying broad-band part of the spectrum of the Rossler attractor has been transformed by the threshold firing mechanism into a scaling tale. These results are compared with irregular spiking time-series obtained in vitro from a spontaneous activity of hippocampal (CA3) singular neurons (rat's brain slice culture). The comparison shows good agreement between the model and experimentally obtained spectra.