Conduction delays can enhance formation of up and down states in spiking neuronal networks

We study dynamics of a spiking network of synaptically connected bistable neuronal oscillators. We find that delays in axonal conduction result in the emergence of coexisting states with high and low activity levels (up and down states). In the network, where cellular bistability is present, propagation delays and noise play a crucial role in the emergence of transitions between the states.