Hyperchaos and complex dynamical regimes in $N$-dimensional neuron lattices

TL;DR

This paper explores the complex dynamical behaviors of high-dimensional neuron lattices, revealing phenomena like chaos, synchronization, and phase transitions influenced by coupling and dimensionality.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of neuron lattice dynamics across multiple dimensions, coupling types, and heterogeneity, uncovering new emergent behaviors and phase transition phenomena.

Findings

Discovery of hyperchaos and synchronized regimes in neuron lattices

Identification of phase transitions due to destructive interference

Emergence of local and lag synchronization in large lattices

Abstract

We study the dynamics of $N$-dimensional lattices of nonchaotic Rulkov neurons coupled with a flow of electrical current. We consider both nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor couplings, homogeneous and heterogeneous neurons, and small and large lattices over a wide range of electrical coupling strengths. As the coupling strength is varied, the neurons exhibit a number of complex dynamical regimes, including unsynchronized chaotic spiking, local quasi-bursting, synchronized chaotic bursting, and synchronized hyperchaos. For lattices in higher spatial dimensions, we discover dynamical effects arising from the "destructive interference" of many connected neurons and miniature "phase transitions" from coordinated spiking threshold crossings. In large two- and three-dimensional neuron lattices, we observe emergent dynamics such as local synchronization, quasi-synchronization, and lag synchronization. These results illustrate the rich dynamics that emerge from coupled neurons in multiple spatial dimensions, highlighting how dimensionality, connectivity, and heterogeneity critically shape the collective behavior of neuronal systems.