Characterization of the anticipated synchronization regime in the coupled FitzHugh--Nagumo model for neurons

TL;DR

This paper numerically investigates anticipated synchronization in a coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo neuron model, demonstrating how specific coupling parameters lead to the slave neuron firing before the master neuron.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed numerical characterization of anticipated synchronization in a neuron model with unidirectional coupling and inhibitory delayed feedback.

Findings

Anticipated synchronization occurs under certain coupling strengths and delays.

The degree of synchronization can be quantitatively measured.

The regime is characterized across parameter space.

Abstract

We characterize numerically the regime of anticipated synchronization in the coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo model for neurons. We consider two neurons, coupled unidirectionally (in a master-slave configuration), subject to the same random external forcing and with a recurrent inhibitory delayed connection in the slave neuron. We show that the scheme leads to anticipated synchronization, a regime in which the slave neuron fires the same train of pulses as the master neuron, but earlier in time. We characterize the synchronization in the parameter space (coupling strength, anticipation time) and introduce several quantities to measure the degree of synchronization.