POSTER PRESENTATION Open Access Transient synchrony in delayed coupled neuronal networks

In this study, we propose that in a pool of neurons recur-rently coupled through delayed synaptic connections transient patterns of synchrony can be observed due to the changing incoming stimuli, in continuance of some recent works [1]. Transient synchrony between spiking activity of the neurons has been reported in different sen-sory tasks e.g. visual and olfactory system [2,3]. We have shown that the critical role of the delay is to prepare connections that their synchronizing/desynchro-nizing effect changes when they receive different levels of stimuli [4,5]. In a suitable range of parameters, need not to be fine-tuned, an initially incoherent firing of the neurons can turn to coherent network oscillation when the mean input is changed-not necessarily increased–through sensory or control input (Figure 1). It is important to note that such an ability of the network to select frequencies of the oscillation is based on the presence of the delay in communication between neurons. In a network in which the components communicate instantaneously–with delays ignored–the neurons either spike synchronously or asynchronously depending on the connections properties and regardless of the value of the input current and the frequency of the spiking of the neurons. Conclusion We have shown that the ability of a neural network to switch between coherent and incoherent firing, may be dependent on the delay in communication betwee