A Second Order Transition in a Neuron Grid

Abstract

: We perform a simple calculation of a classical cellular automata model based on two types of cells (neurons), excitatory and inhibitory ones, randomly distributed in a 2D space. The only varying parameter is the percentage of inhibitory neurons. Even under such simple conditions, we obtain a transition between two states (which we conjecture to be normal and epileptic). The difference between these states are manifested both in the neuronal activity amplitude and in their frequency. The amplitude changes are shown to be similar to those obtained in a tonic-clonic seizure.