Synchronization-Induced Spike Termination in Networks of Bistable Neurons

TL;DR

This paper investigates a spontaneous phenomenon in neural networks where synchronized activity causes complete cessation of firing, with the effect depending on the type of synaptic connections and network parameters.

Contribution

It reveals the conditions and mechanisms by which synchronization induces spike termination in networks of bistable neurons with different connection types.

Findings

Synchronization causes activity cessation in excitatory networks.

The phenomenon depends on synaptic type and parameters.

Mechanism involves the shape of excitatory postsynaptic currents.

Abstract

We observe and study a self-organized phenomenon whereby the activity in a network of spiking neurons spontaneously terminates. We consider different types of populations, consisting of bistable model neurons connected electrically by gap junctions, or by either excitatory or inhibitory synapses, in a scale-free connection topology. We find that strongly synchronized population spiking events lead to complete cessation of activity in excitatory networks, but not in gap junction or inhibitory networks. We identify the underlying mechanism responsible for this phenomenon by examining the particular shape of the excitatory postsynaptic currents that arise in the neurons. We also examine the effects of the synaptic time constant, coupling strength, and channel noise on the occurrence of the phenomenon.