Heterogeneity, Noise and Synchronization in Neuronal Networks
Time and place
1 PM on Tuesday, May 12th, 2015; NAC 6/113 - NOTE UNUSUAL DAY
Jonathan Touboul (Collège de France & Inria)
Abstract
Brain's activity is the result of the complex interplay of a large number of highly heterogeneous cells, whose electrical activity is subject to noise. Notwithstanding, large-scale networks show reliable responses and appropriate collective behaviors. I will discuss some theoretical works around this apparent paradox, and show how noise and heterogeneity average out into a reliable collective signal that sensitively depends on statistical properties of network structure and heterogeneity. I will particularly show how these properties may induce synchronization in the network, and will particularly focus on a surprising transition to synchrony as the randomness is increased.
