# Synchronization of two cells

This exercise shows how two cells, with the same input but firing out of phase, can be synchronized by a weak reciprocal inhibitory connection. It also introduces the use of hoc code to specify connections in a network.

## Implementation

The file model_ex.hoc contains the specifications for each cell. There are two single compartment neurons: cella and cellb, with identical passive and active properties, identical synapses syna and synb, and same input currents (stima and stimb) that, however, start at different times.

## Exercise

Go to the sync directory and compile the mod files for the Na+ and K+ conductances that are used in this exercise.

Edit the model_ex.hoc file to add two NetCon statements, connecting each cell to the synapse on the other cell. Use the same weight for both connections. See NEURON help for syntax and parameters.

Run the sync_ex.hoc simulation and adjust the synaptic weights to obtain synchronization.

NEURON hands-on course
Copyright © 2001 by M. Migliore, all rights reserved.