Abstract
We show the existence of travelling wave solutions to a generalized system of nerve equations which include the case where the slow variable also has a diffusion effect. We are mainly interested in the persistency of the pulse solution of the Fitz Hugh-Nagumo equations. Using an isolating block and a contracting block family, an intuitive idea derived from the shooting method becomes mathematically rigorous.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
G.A. Carpenter, A geometric approach to singular perturbation problems with applications to nerve impulse equations. J. Differential Equations,23 (1977), 335–367.
C.C. Conley, On Travelling Wave Solutions of Nonlinear Diffusion Equations. Lecture Notes in Phys. 38, Springer, 1975.
C. Conley and R. Easton, Isolated invariant sets and isolating blocks. Trans. Amer. Math. Soc.,158 (1971), 35–61.
G.B. Ermentrout, S.P. Hastings and W.C. Troy, Large amplitude stationary waves in an excitable latral inhibitory medium. SIAM J. Appl. Math.,44 (1984), 1133–1149.
R. Gardner and J. Smoller, The Existence of periodic travelling waves for singularly perturbed predator-prey equations via the Conley index. J. Differential Equations,47 (1983), 133–161.
S.P. Hastings, On the existence of periodic solutions to Nagumo’s equations. Quart. J. Math. Oxford,25 (1974), 369–378.
S.P. Hastings, On the existence of homoclinic and periodic orbits for the FitzHugh-Nagumo equations. Quart. J. Math.,27 (1976), 123–134.
H. Ikeda, M. Mimura and Y. Nishiura, Global bifurcation phenomena of travelling wave solutions for some bistable reaction-diffusion systems. Nonlinear Analysis TMA (in press).
K. Maginu, A geometrical condition for the instability of solitary travelling wave solutions in reaction-diffusion equations. Preprint.
Y. Nishiura, M. Mimura, H. Ikeda and H. Fujii, Stability of travelling front solutions of reaction-diffusion systems of bistable type. Submitted for publication.
Y. Nishiura, Singular limit approach to stability and bifurcation for bistable reaction diffusion systems. To appear in the Proc. of the Workshop on Nonlinear PDE’s, March 1987, Provo, Utah, (Eds. P. Bates and P. Fife), Springer.
J. Smoller, Shock Waves and Reaction-Diffusion Equations. Springer, New York, 1983.
H. Tuckwell and R. Miura, A mathmatical model for spreading cortical depression. Biophys. J.,23 (1978), 257–276.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Ogawa, T. Travelling wave solutions to a generalized system of nerve equations. Japan J. Appl. Math. 7, 255–276 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03167844
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03167844