Neuronal ensembles, alike many other complex systems, self-organize into fascinating emergent synchronous patterns which are fundamental for appropriate functioning of the brain. Synchronous spatio-temporal patterns, for instance, play crucial roles in neuronal communication and cognitive processes. Alongside in recent times, there has been a strong urge in exploring the appearance of an exceptional collective state that correspond to the spatial coexistence of synchronous and asynchronous dynamics in symmetrically coupled network of identical dynamical units, popularly known as chimera states. This hybrid dynamical phenomenon, in particular, possesses strong resemblance to a number of neuronal developments, such as the bump states, unihemispheric slow-wave sleep in some birds and aquatic mammals, and also to neuronal diseases including Parkinson’s disease, epileptic seizures, and schizophrenia. Consequently, it has become indispensable to understand the processes through which diverse aspects of synchrony emerge in neuronal systems.
The issue of non-synaptic (ephaptic) communication that corresponds to the coupling of nerve fibers because of the extracellular local electric fields, carries much importance as far as the neuronal communication is concerned. Nevertheless, so far the exploration of the patterns of neuronal synchrony has been mostly confined to the presence of synaptic interactions. Neuroplasticity, that helps in adaptive change in the nervous system, could also have implications on functional behaviors which are associated with synchronization. Besides, the interdependent network formalism (multilayer or multiplex or modular structures) is specifically relevant in neuronal systems. The possibility in the emergence of non-stationary chimera patterns that evolves over time, is yet to receive its due attention for neuronal ensembles. The incarnation of novel types of chimera-like state as a result of unconventional interactional frameworks of the concerned network also deserves more attentive study. Being immensely relevant, it thus necessitates to bring further development in this subject of research with a dedicated special issue. Although there were past significant attempts, enough scopes are still there that are expected to result in fascinating observations around the subject of neuronal synchrony. The goal of this Research Topic is thus to excerpt original theoretical, computational, and experimental studies that explore the incarnation of different patterns of synchrony in neuronal networks.
This Research Topic invites all contributions ranging from Original Research to Review and Opinion articles that address the aspects of synchronization in neuronal ensembles. Topics include but are not limited to the following:
• Aspects of synchrony in neuronal networks of networks;
• Synchronization patterns including chimeras, solitary and cluster states in neuronal multilayer/multiplex/modular networks;
• Distinctive analysis of spike, burst and complete synchrony in neuronal ensembles including the processes from phase-locking to anti-phase bursting (spiking);
• Exploration of spike chimeras in neuronal systems;
• Chimera states emerging through non-synaptic (ephaptic) communications ;
• Influence of neuroplasticity on diverse patterns of synchronization;
• Synchrony/Chimera-like patterns in time-varying neuronal networks;
• Non-stationary (alternating, traveling etc.) chimeras in neuronal ensembles;
• Synchrony/Chimeras in static or temporal networks with hybrid synapses;
• Time-delay effects on patterns of neuronal synchrony;
• Variants of synchronization in neuronal systems under the synergy of excitation and inhibition;
• Different chimera-like states due to unconventional network topology in neuronal networks, including hyper-networks.
Neuronal ensembles, alike many other complex systems, self-organize into fascinating emergent synchronous patterns which are fundamental for appropriate functioning of the brain. Synchronous spatio-temporal patterns, for instance, play crucial roles in neuronal communication and cognitive processes. Alongside in recent times, there has been a strong urge in exploring the appearance of an exceptional collective state that correspond to the spatial coexistence of synchronous and asynchronous dynamics in symmetrically coupled network of identical dynamical units, popularly known as chimera states. This hybrid dynamical phenomenon, in particular, possesses strong resemblance to a number of neuronal developments, such as the bump states, unihemispheric slow-wave sleep in some birds and aquatic mammals, and also to neuronal diseases including Parkinson’s disease, epileptic seizures, and schizophrenia. Consequently, it has become indispensable to understand the processes through which diverse aspects of synchrony emerge in neuronal systems.
The issue of non-synaptic (ephaptic) communication that corresponds to the coupling of nerve fibers because of the extracellular local electric fields, carries much importance as far as the neuronal communication is concerned. Nevertheless, so far the exploration of the patterns of neuronal synchrony has been mostly confined to the presence of synaptic interactions. Neuroplasticity, that helps in adaptive change in the nervous system, could also have implications on functional behaviors which are associated with synchronization. Besides, the interdependent network formalism (multilayer or multiplex or modular structures) is specifically relevant in neuronal systems. The possibility in the emergence of non-stationary chimera patterns that evolves over time, is yet to receive its due attention for neuronal ensembles. The incarnation of novel types of chimera-like state as a result of unconventional interactional frameworks of the concerned network also deserves more attentive study. Being immensely relevant, it thus necessitates to bring further development in this subject of research with a dedicated special issue. Although there were past significant attempts, enough scopes are still there that are expected to result in fascinating observations around the subject of neuronal synchrony. The goal of this Research Topic is thus to excerpt original theoretical, computational, and experimental studies that explore the incarnation of different patterns of synchrony in neuronal networks.
This Research Topic invites all contributions ranging from Original Research to Review and Opinion articles that address the aspects of synchronization in neuronal ensembles. Topics include but are not limited to the following:
• Aspects of synchrony in neuronal networks of networks;
• Synchronization patterns including chimeras, solitary and cluster states in neuronal multilayer/multiplex/modular networks;
• Distinctive analysis of spike, burst and complete synchrony in neuronal ensembles including the processes from phase-locking to anti-phase bursting (spiking);
• Exploration of spike chimeras in neuronal systems;
• Chimera states emerging through non-synaptic (ephaptic) communications ;
• Influence of neuroplasticity on diverse patterns of synchronization;
• Synchrony/Chimera-like patterns in time-varying neuronal networks;
• Non-stationary (alternating, traveling etc.) chimeras in neuronal ensembles;
• Synchrony/Chimeras in static or temporal networks with hybrid synapses;
• Time-delay effects on patterns of neuronal synchrony;
• Variants of synchronization in neuronal systems under the synergy of excitation and inhibition;
• Different chimera-like states due to unconventional network topology in neuronal networks, including hyper-networks.
