Effect of inhomogeneous distribution of ion channels on collective electric activities of neurons in a ring network

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the evolution and transition of collective electric activities of neurons in a ring network, induced by inhomogeneous distribution of ion channels. The local kinetics is measured by Morris-Lecar under voltage coupling type. In the numerical studies, the effect of inhomogeneous distribution of ion channels is simulated by changing the conductance in ion channels embedded in the membrane, and the potential mechanism is discussed. The effect of diversity of conductance between calcium and potassium ions on the activating of the adjacent neurons, and the dependence of developed travelling wave on the coupling intensity, are investigated in detail. The activating and waking up the nonexcitable or quiescent neurons with type I and type II excitability, are investigated, respectively. The numerical results confirm that the adjacent neurons are activated and the stable travelling wave is developed in the ring network of neurons when the conductance of calcium ions is increased beyond a certain threshold or the conductance of potassium ions is reduced below another threshold; while the propagation of the travelling wave could be slowed down or suppressed when the conductance of calcium ions is reduced or the conductance of potassium ion is increased. The development or emergence of travelling wave and propagation are greatly dependent on the increase of conductance of calcium ions and the decrease of potassium conductance.