Self-sustained firing activities of the cortical network with plastic rules in weak AC electrical fields

Abstract

Both external and endogenous electrical fields widely exist in the environment of cortical neurons. The effects of a weak alternating current (AC) field on a neural network model with synaptic plasticity are studied. It is found that self-sustained rhythmic firing patterns, which are closely correlated with the cognitive functions, are significantly modified due to the self-organizing of the network in the weak AC field. The activities of the neural networks are affected by the synaptic connection strength, the external stimuli, and so on. In the presence of learning rules, the synaptic connections can be modulated by the external stimuli, which will further enhance the sensitivity of the network to the external signal. The properties of the external AC stimuli can serve as control parameters in modulating the evolution of the neural network.

Bifurcation diagram globally underpinning neuronal firing behaviors modified by SK conductance

“…A number of simple models with only a few variables, [28][29][30] like the one constructed by Izhikevich, [28][29][30] are not only successful in reproducing many neuronal firing behaviors but also convenient in bifurcation analysis. Although the main phenomena of our present experimentation can also be qualitatively simulated by using such simple models (data not shown here), in this study we employ an HH type model, which includes six variables and many ionic conductance parameters to realistically reproduce the experimental processes.…”