Similar transitions and extreme events in non-identical neuron models

Abstract

This study investigates the phenomenon of abnormally large amplitude intermittent spikes in a memristive Hindmarsh–Rose (MHR) neuron model. The analysis focusses on the effects of coupling strength variations between mutually coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) and MHR neuron models. Both neuron models exhibit similar transitions at a critical coupling strength, the FHN neuron displays intermittent oscillations, whereas the MHR neuron occasionally generates intermittent spikes of significantly larger amplitude. The occurrence of extreme events within these spikes was validated using the probability distribution function (PDF). Furthermore, the two-parameter phase diagrams of the membrane input currents and coupling strength enabled the identification of extreme event (EE) and non-extreme event (NEE) regions in the MHR neuron model. The study also explores the underlying mechanisms responsible for the extreme amplitude of spikes observed in the MHR neuron.