Microscopic Variability Alters Macroscopic Rotation Speed in Stochastic Spiral Waves

TL;DR

This paper develops a theory describing how stochastic noise influences the rotation speed of spiral waves in excitable media, showing that noise generally causes a slowdown with implications for biological systems.

Contribution

It introduces a general theoretical framework for noise-induced corrections to spiral wave rotation speed, validated by simulations and applicable to biological phenomena.

Findings

Stochasticity causes a net slowdown of spiral wave rotation.

Analytical predictions align with Barkley-model simulations.

Different noise types consistently slow down the spiral waves.

Abstract

We present a general theory for noise-induced corrections to the angular velocity of spiral waves. Stochasticity produces two second-order effects: an instantaneous term from heterogeneity that always slows rotation, and an orbital-drift term from temporal fluctuations that can either accelerate or decelerate it. For our parameters, orbital drift is weaker, producing a net slowdown. Analytical predictions match Barkley-model simulations with temporal noise. Examination of additional noise types in silico confirms angular velocity slowing. This mechanism provides a robust route by which stochasticity reshapes spiral dynamics in excitable media, with direct implications for arrhythmias and neural wave propagation.