The role of intrinsic cell properties in synchrony of neurons interacting via electrical synapses

Abstract

The study of the synchronization of neural activity has to deal with the existence of a great diversity of neuronal and synaptic properties, which both may influence the collective behavior of neurons. In this chapter, we present an approach that allows to disentangle the respective role of neuronal and synaptic properties in synchronization. It relies on the theory of weakly coupled oscillators and on the concept of infinitesimal Phase Response Curve (iPRC) which is relevant for systems where neurons fire periodically. Applying this theory to networks of neurons coupled with electrical synapses provides a unifying framework explaining how their synchronization behavior depends on the shape of the iPRC. It reveals that synchronization mediated by electrical synapses is more versatile than previously considered. It depends on the intrinsic currents and morphology of neurons as well as on their combination with inhibitory synapses.