The role of geterogeneity in synchronization of spiking neural networks

The diversity and heterogeneity of neurons and synapses is an important factor in the functioning of the brain. In our work, we investigated the role of heterogeneity of neural populations in the occurrence of synchronous modes in a network connected by exciting links in the presence of an external exciting input. Using Monte-Carlo modeling and the semi-analytical modeling the distribution of the refractory density of neuron integrators and Hodgkin – Huxley neurons, we showed that there is a range of parameters for the stimulating current and the strength of connections in the population where the effects of neuronal heterogeneity on the threshold or on the stimulating current are opposite. For large values of synaptic weights and subthreshold values of the exciting current, heterogeneity contributes to the emergence of a synchronous mode in the neural network, while at the same time reducing the coupling strength and increasing the exciting current. The heterogeneity reduces the tendency of the neural network to synchronize. The results obtained make it possible to reconcile the known data on the effects of heterogeneity in the regulation of the synchronous regimes arising in the neural ensembles of the brain.