A nonlinear Fokker-Planck approach to stochastic networks

In physics and biophysics we often deal with many-body systems with components that interact with each other and are subjected to fluctuations. We will discuss a mean-field approach to describe systems of this kind. This approach leads to a one-particle description of many-body systems in terms of nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations.

We will discuss two applications of this mean-field approach: a) multistable stochastic networks and b) networks that exhibit both flexibility and a small amount of variability. Both applications may play an important role for complex motor control systems of humans and animals (as realizations of neural task-related circuitries). For example, horses are believed to have a multistable motor control system (for a given speed they can walk in two different fashions: pace and trot). Flexible and accurate movements are in particular required in sport exercises.