Mean-field theory of rich oscillatory dynamics in low-rank recurrent networks with activity-dependent adaptation

We develop a dynamical mean-field theory for random recurrent networks with low-rank structure and firing-rate-driven adaptation.

When the random connectivity is strong enough to generate chaos, increasing adaptation strength drives the network through four regimes: a static coherent state, noise-sustained oscillations that progress from regular to irregular, stochastic switching between symmetric wells, and a global limit cycle.

The theory identifies two instability mechanisms, chaos onset from the random connectivity and a Hopf bifurcation of the coherent mode, and shows how adaptation shapes both through the frequency-dependent single-neuron transfer function.

A reduced three-dimensional model captures the bifurcation structure of the full network.

Above the chaos threshold, coherent population-level oscillations coexist with heterogeneous firing rates and network-generated stochasticity at the single-neuron level.

The interaction of adaptation with random and low-rank connectivity produces a rich oscillatory repertoire, including waxing-and-waning rhythmic episodes, persistent state switching, and slow Up-Down alternations, dynamics that have been observed during wakefulness, sleep, and anesthesia.