Journal of Applied Mathematics
Volume 2003 (2003), Issue 8, Pages 397-407
doi:10.1155/S1110757X03211037

Identifying generalized Fitzhugh-Nagumo equation from a numerical solution of Hodgkin-Huxley model

Nikola V. Georgiev

Section of Biodynamics and Biorheology, Institute of Mechanics, Acad. G. Bonchev St., bl. 4, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

Received 25 November 2002; Revised 16 January 2003

Copyright © 2003 Nikola V. Georgiev. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

An analytic time series in the form of numerical solution (in an appropriate finite time interval) of the Hodgkin-Huxley current clamped (HHCC) system of four differential equations, well known in the neurophysiology as an exact empirical model of excitation of a giant axon of Loligo, is presented. Then we search for a second-order differential equation of generalized Fitzhugh-Nagumo (GFN) type, having as a solution the given single component (action potential) of the numerical solution. The given time series is used as a basis for reconstructing orders, powers, and coefficients of the polynomial right-hand sides of GFN equation approximately governing the process of action potential. For this purpose, a new geometrical method for determining phase space dimension of the unknown dynamical system (GFN equation) and a specific modification of least squares method for identifying unknown coefficients are developed and applied.