Interaction and synchronization of rhythms in a model of the brain limbic system

The purpose of this study is to build a mathematical network model for interaction of rhythms in the limbic system of the brain, when pathological epileptiform activity is spreading from the focus. Methods. Based on well-known anatomical rules and biophysical laws, networks of model neurons are constructed for the hippocampus, the entorhinal and frontal cortex of both hemispheres. The task of chaotic dynamics synchronization in a relatively large network of heterogeneous neurooscillators by the signal of a ring generator of regular activity (a model of epileptic focus) was considered. Results. The regular pulse activity was shown to be able partly synchronize of suppress own activity in the limbic system model despite significant differences between the model equations of different cell types and the presence of natural fundamental oscillation frequencies in the beta and gamma ranges, with some spectral peaks become shifted. This effect stays valid not for a single model, but for a class of models that differ by the connectivity matrices. Conclusion. The mechanism of pathological rhythmic activity propagation from the epileptic focus to the whole limbic system is modelled for the first time, with using biologically relevant models of the limbic system of both brain hemispheres.