A fractional-order improved FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron model

Abstract We propose a fractional-order improved FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) neuron model in terms of a generalized Caputo fractional derivative. Following the existence of a unique solution for the proposed model, we derive the numerical solution using a recently proposed L1 predictor–corrector method. The given method is based on the L1-type discretization algorithm and the spline interpolation scheme. We perform the error and stability analyses for the given method. We perform graphical simulations demonstrating that the proposed FHN neuron model generates rich electrical activities of periodic spiking patterns, chaotic patterns, and quasi-periodic patterns. The motivation behind proposing a fractional-order improved FHN neuron model is that such a system can provide a more nuanced description of the process with better understanding and simulation of the neuronal responses by incorporating memory effects and non-local dynamics, which are inherent to many biological systems.