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Synchronization of chaotic oscillators in a generalized sense leads to richer behavior than identical chaotic oscillations in coupled systems. It may imply a more complicated connection between the synchronized trajectories in the state spaces of coupled systems. We suggest a method here that can be used to detect and study generalized synchronization in drive-response systems. This technique, the auxiliary system method, utilizes a second, identical response system to monitor the synchronized motions. The method can be implemented both numerically and experimentally and in some cases it leads to analytical results for generalized synchronization. ͓S1063-651X͑96͒02505-6͔

A simple model that replicates the dynamics of spiking and spiking-bursting activity of real biological neurons is proposed. The model is a two-dimensional map which contains one fast and one slow variable. The mechanisms behind generation of spikes, bursts of spikes, and restructuring of the map behavior are explained using phase portrait analysis. The dynamics of two coupled maps which model the behavior of two electrically coupled neurons is discussed. Synchronization regimes for spiking and bursting activity of these maps are studied as a function of coupling strength. It is demonstrated that the results of this model are in agreement with the synchronization of chaotic spiking-bursting behavior experimentally found in real biological neurons. PACS number(s): 05.45.+b, 87.22.-q

The onset of regular bursts in a group of irregularly bursting neurons with different individual properties is one of the most interesting dynamical properties found in neurobiological systems. In this paper we show how synchronization among chaotically bursting cells can lead to the onset of regular bursting. In order to clearly present the mechanism behind such regularization we model the individual dynamics of each cell with a simple two-dimensional map that produces chaotic bursting behavior similar to biological neurons. PACS number(s): 05.45.+b, 87.22.-q

We report experimental studies of synchronization phenomena in a pair of biological neurons that interact through naturally occurring, electrical coupling. When these neurons generate irregular bursts of spikes, the natural coupling synchronizes slow oscillations of membrane potential, but not the fast spikes. By adding artificial electrical coupling we studied transitions between synchrony and asynchrony in both slow oscillations and fast spikes. We discuss the dynamics of bursting and synchronization in living neurons with distributed functional morphology.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, to be published in PR