Bursting and synchronization transition in the coupled modified ML neurons

Abstract Bursting is an important electrical behavior in neuron’s firing. In this paper, based on the fast/slow dynamical bifurcation analysis and the phase plane analysis, two types of bursting are presented in the modified Morris–Lecar neuronal model, and the associated bifurcation mechanisms of switching between the active phase and the silent phase are analyzed. For two coupled bursters, it is found that the same type of coupled bursters may have different synchronization transition path from that of two different types of coupled bursters. The analysis of bursting types and the transition to synchronization may provide us with better insight into neuronal encoding and information transmission.