Network induces burst synchronisation in cat brain

TL;DR

This study models the cat brain as a network of interconnected cortical areas to investigate how internal and external stimuli induce burst synchronization across different brain regions.

Contribution

The paper introduces a network-of-networks model of the cat cortex to analyze how connections and external inputs influence neuronal synchronization patterns.

Findings

High spontaneous bursting synchronization in most areas except auditory.

External perturbations can induce synchronization in the auditory area.

Pattern formation in the brain may be mediated by other stimulated regions.

Abstract

The brain of mammals are divided into different cortical areas that are anatomically connected forming larger networks which perform cognitive tasks. The cat cerebral cortex is composed of 65 areas organised into the visual, auditory, somatosensory-motor and frontolimbic cognitive regions. We have built a network of networks, in which networks are connected among themselves according to the connections observed in the cat cortical areas aiming to study how inputs drive the synchronous behaviour in this cat brain-like network. We show that without external perturbations it is possible to observe high level of bursting synchronisation between neurons within almost all areas, except for the auditory area. Bursting synchronisation appears between neurons in the auditory region when an external perturbation is applied in another cognitive area. This is a clear evidence that pattern formation and collective behaviour in the brain might be a process mediated by other brain areas under stimulation.