Firing activity of complex space-clamped FitzHugh-Nagumo neural networks

We investigate how firing activity of complex neural networks depends on the random long-range connections and coupling strength. Network elements are described by excitable space-clamped FitzHugh-Nagumo (SCFHN) neurons with the values of parameters at which no firing activity occurs. It is found that for a given appropriate coupling strength C, there exists a critical fraction of random connections (or randomness) p<Superscript>*</Superscript>, such that if p > p<Superscript>*</Superscript> the firing neurons, which are absent in the nearest-neighbor network, occur. The firing activity becomes more frequent as randomness p is further increased. On the other hand, when the p is smaller, there are no active neurons in network, no matter what the value of C is. For a given larger p, there exist optimal coupling strength levels, where firing activity reaches its maximum. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel mechanism for the emergence of firing activity in neurons. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2008