The effects of external electrical field on a neural network with synaptic plasticity and conduction delays

Effects of external DC stimuli to the evolution of a neural network model are studied. It's found that the external DC stimuli can enhance the neural network's average firing rate, induces the neural network to get to a balanced state that exhibits rhythmic activity with high rate. The activity of the neural network can be affected by the synaptic connection strength, the conduction delays, the external stimuli and so on. These parameters can serve as factors in modulating the evolution of the neural network with different firing activities. Furthermore, these results may also relate to the mechanism of memory and learning process.