Phase-locking in weakly heterogeneous neuronal networks

We examine analytically the existence and stability of phase-locked states in a weakly heterogeneous neuronal network. We consider a model of N neurons with all-to-all synaptic coupling where the heterogeneity is in the intrinsic firing frequency of the individual neurons. We consider both inhibitory and excitatory coupling. We derive the conditions under which stable phase-locking is possible. In homogeneous networks, many different periodic phase-locked states are possible. Their stability depends on the dynamics of the neuron and the coupling. For weak heterogeneity, the phase-locked slates are perturbed from the homogeneous states and can remain stable if their homogeneous counterparts are stable. For enough heterogeneity, phase-locked solutions either lose stability or are destroyed completely. We analyze the possible states the network can take when phase-locking is broken. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.