FitzHugh–Nagumo Oscillators on Complex Networks Mimic Epileptic-Seizure-Related Synchronization Phenomena

0537946 - ÚI 2021 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Gerster, M. - Berner, R. - Sawicki, J. - Zakharova, A. - Škoch, A. - Hlinka, Jaroslav - Lehnertz, K. - Schöll, E.
FitzHugh–Nagumo Oscillators on Complex Networks Mimic Epileptic-Seizure-Related Synchronization Phenomena.
Chaos. Roč. 30, č. 12 (2020), č. článku 123130. ISSN 1054-1500. E-ISSN 1089-7682
R&D Projects: GA MZd(CZ) NV17-28427A
Grant - others:GA MŠk(CZ) LO1611
Institutional support: RVO:67985807
Keywords : epilepsy * synchronization * network * FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillator * topology * structural connectivity
OECD category: Applied mathematics
Impact factor: 3.642, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Limited access
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0021420

We study patterns of partial synchronization in a network of FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators with empirical structural connectivity measured in human subjects. We report the spontaneous occurrence of synchronization phenomena that closely resemble the ones seen during epileptic seizures in humans. In order to obtain deeper insights into the interplay between dynamics and network topology, we perform long-term simulations of oscillatory dynamics on different paradigmatic network structures: random networks, regular nonlocally coupled ring networks, ring networks with fractal connectivities, and small-world networks with various rewiring probability. Among these networks, a small-world network with intermediate rewiring probability best mimics the findings achieved with the simulations using the empirical structural connectivity. For the other network topologies, either no spontaneously occurring epileptic-seizure-related synchronization phenomena can be observed in the simulated dynamics, or the overall degree of synchronization remains high throughout the simulation. This indicates that a topology with some balance between regularity and randomness favors the self-initiation and self-termination of episodes of seizure-like strong synchronization.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0315774