Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback Synapses

Despite its significance, hysteresis remains underrepresented in mainstream models of plasticity. In this work, we propose a novel framework that explicitly models hysteresis in simple one- and two-neuron models. Our models capture key feedback-dependent phenomena such as bistability, multistability...

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Main Authors: Sebastian Thomas Lynch, Stephen Lynch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:AppliedMath
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9909/5/2/70
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author Sebastian Thomas Lynch
Stephen Lynch
author_facet Sebastian Thomas Lynch
Stephen Lynch
author_sort Sebastian Thomas Lynch
collection DOAJ
description Despite its significance, hysteresis remains underrepresented in mainstream models of plasticity. In this work, we propose a novel framework that explicitly models hysteresis in simple one- and two-neuron models. Our models capture key feedback-dependent phenomena such as bistability, multistability, periodicity, quasi-periodicity, and chaos, offering a more accurate and general representation of neural adaptation. This opens the door to new insights in computational neuroscience and neuromorphic system design. Synaptic weights change in several contexts or mechanisms including, Bienenstock–Cooper–Munro (BCM) synaptic modification, where synaptic changes depend on the level of post-synaptic activity; homeostatic plasticity, where all of a neuron synapses simultaneously scale up or down to maintain stability; metaplasticity, or plasticity of plasticity; neuromodulation, where neurotransmitters influence synaptic weights; developmental processes, where synaptic connections are actively formed, pruned and refined; disease or injury; for example, neurological conditions can induce maladaptive synaptic changes; spike-time dependent plasticity (STDP), where changes depend on the precise timing of pre- and postsynaptic spikes; and structural plasticity, where changes in dendritic spines and axonal boutons can alter synaptic strength. The ability of synapses and neurons to change in response to activity is fundamental to learning, memory formation, and cognitive adaptation. This paper presents simple continuous and discrete neuro-modules with adapting feedback synapses which in turn are subject to feedback. The dynamics of continuous periodically driven Hopfield neural networks with adapting synapses have been investigated since the 1990s in terms of periodicity and chaotic behaviors. For the first time, one- and two-neuron models are considered as parameters are varied using a feedback mechanism which more accurately represents real-world simulation, as explained earlier. It is shown that these models are history dependent. A simple discrete two-neuron model with adapting feedback synapses is analyzed in terms of stability and bifurcation diagrams are plotted as parameters are increased and decreased. This work has the potential to improve learning algorithms, increase understanding of neural memory formation, and inform neuromorphic engineering research.
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spelling doaj-art-3e8ede2273eb4825a1fbb2da4ae6f1282025-08-20T03:26:20ZengMDPI AGAppliedMath2673-99092025-06-01527010.3390/appliedmath5020070Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback SynapsesSebastian Thomas Lynch0Stephen Lynch1Department of Computer Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UKDepartment of Computer Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UKDespite its significance, hysteresis remains underrepresented in mainstream models of plasticity. In this work, we propose a novel framework that explicitly models hysteresis in simple one- and two-neuron models. Our models capture key feedback-dependent phenomena such as bistability, multistability, periodicity, quasi-periodicity, and chaos, offering a more accurate and general representation of neural adaptation. This opens the door to new insights in computational neuroscience and neuromorphic system design. Synaptic weights change in several contexts or mechanisms including, Bienenstock–Cooper–Munro (BCM) synaptic modification, where synaptic changes depend on the level of post-synaptic activity; homeostatic plasticity, where all of a neuron synapses simultaneously scale up or down to maintain stability; metaplasticity, or plasticity of plasticity; neuromodulation, where neurotransmitters influence synaptic weights; developmental processes, where synaptic connections are actively formed, pruned and refined; disease or injury; for example, neurological conditions can induce maladaptive synaptic changes; spike-time dependent plasticity (STDP), where changes depend on the precise timing of pre- and postsynaptic spikes; and structural plasticity, where changes in dendritic spines and axonal boutons can alter synaptic strength. The ability of synapses and neurons to change in response to activity is fundamental to learning, memory formation, and cognitive adaptation. This paper presents simple continuous and discrete neuro-modules with adapting feedback synapses which in turn are subject to feedback. The dynamics of continuous periodically driven Hopfield neural networks with adapting synapses have been investigated since the 1990s in terms of periodicity and chaotic behaviors. For the first time, one- and two-neuron models are considered as parameters are varied using a feedback mechanism which more accurately represents real-world simulation, as explained earlier. It is shown that these models are history dependent. A simple discrete two-neuron model with adapting feedback synapses is analyzed in terms of stability and bifurcation diagrams are plotted as parameters are increased and decreased. This work has the potential to improve learning algorithms, increase understanding of neural memory formation, and inform neuromorphic engineering research.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9909/5/2/70adaptive synapsebifurcation diagrambistablechaotic systemfeedbackhysteresis
spellingShingle Sebastian Thomas Lynch
Stephen Lynch
Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback Synapses
AppliedMath
adaptive synapse
bifurcation diagram
bistable
chaotic system
feedback
hysteresis
title Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback Synapses
title_full Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback Synapses
title_fullStr Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback Synapses
title_full_unstemmed Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback Synapses
title_short Hysteresis in Neuron Models with Adapting Feedback Synapses
title_sort hysteresis in neuron models with adapting feedback synapses
topic adaptive synapse
bifurcation diagram
bistable
chaotic system
feedback
hysteresis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9909/5/2/70
work_keys_str_mv AT sebastianthomaslynch hysteresisinneuronmodelswithadaptingfeedbacksynapses
AT stephenlynch hysteresisinneuronmodelswithadaptingfeedbacksynapses