Multiple bifurcations and coexistence in an inertial two-neuron system with multiple delays

In this paper, we construct an inertial two-neuron system with multiple delays, which is described by three first-order delayed differential equations. The neural system presents dynamical coexistence with equilibria, periodic orbits, and even quasi-periodic behavior by employing multiple types of bifurcations. To this end, the pitchfork bifurcation of trivial equilibrium is analyzed firstly by using center manifold reduction and normal form method. The system presents different sequences of supercritical and subcritical pitchfork bifurcations. Further, the nontrivial equilibrium bifurcated from trivial equilibrium presents a secondary pitchfork bifurcation. The system exhibits stable coexistence of multiple equilibria. Using the pitchfork bifurcation curves, we divide the parameter plane into different regions, corresponding to different number of equilibria. To obtain the effect of time delays on system dynamical behaviors, we analyze equilibrium stability employing characteristic equation of the system. By the Hopf bifurcation, the system illustrates a periodic orbit near the trivial equilibrium. We give the stability regions in the delayed plane to illustrate stability switching. The neural system is illustrated to have Hopf–Hopf bifurcation points. The coexistence with two periodic orbits is presented near these bifurcation points. Finally, we present some mixed dynamical coexistence. The system has a stable coexistence with periodic orbit and equilibrium near the pitchfork–Hopf bifurcation point. Moreover, multiple frequencies of the system induce the presentation of quasi-periodic behavior. The system presents stable coexistence with two periodic orbits and one quasi-periodic behavior.