Two distinct desynchronization processes caused by lesions in globally coupled neurons

To accomplish a task, the brain works like a synchronized neuronal network where all the involved neurons work together. When a lesion spreads in the brain, depending on its evolution, it can reach a significant portion of relevant area. As a consequence, a phase transition might occur: the neurons desynchronize and cannot perform a certain task anymore. Lesions are responsible for either disrupting the neuronal connections or, in some cases, for killing the neuron. In this work, we will use a simplified model of neuronal network to show that these two types of lesions cause different types of desynchronization. Received: 20 November 2014,  Accepted: 10 March 2015;  Edited by: C. A. Condat, G. J. Sibona;  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4279/PIP.070002 Cite as: F A S Ferrari, R L Viana, Papers in Physics 7, 070002 (2015) This paper, by Fabiano A. S. Ferrari, Ricardo L. Viana , is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 .