Emergent Bursting in Small Networks of Model Conditional Pacemakers in the Pre-Bötzinger Complex

This paper summarizes some lessons learned from the computational study of bursting oscillations in small networks of model pre-Bötzinger complex (pBC) neurons. Dynamical systems analysis explains the mechanisms through which synaptic coupling enhances the dynamic range of bursting and predicts the existence of multiple forms of busting and tonic spiking solutions. This analysis also demonstrates that intrinsically bursting cells are not required for network bursting and suggests possible roles for cells with different intrinsic behaviors in enhancing the robustness of bursting.