Phase synchronization of a small-world neuronal network

Synchronization of coupled neurons is thought to be important for information communication in neuronal systems. In this paper, phase synchronization of an electrically coupled small-world neuronal network is explored. A small-world Hindmarsh-Rose neuronal network is set up first and then the effects of various network parameters and the heterogeneity of the network on phase synchronization are discussed with some biological explanations. It is demonstrated that the necessary coupling strengths for phase synchronization decrease with the increase of the number of neurons, the degree of nodes and the connection density, and the network heterogeneity has an adverse effect on the synchronizability of the neuronal network.