Systems simulation: theory of monosynaptic transfer between neuron populations.

This paper presents a theory for the input-output transformation involved in diffuse monosynaptic activation in a neural tissue or organ system of one population of neurons by another. Main findings are: (1) highly diffuse monosynaptic linkages act very much like filters, selectively sensitive to synchronized clusters of action potentials among the fibers of the input population; (2) partially diffuse monosynaptic linkages are capable of effecting either an amplification or diminution of the number of pulses involved in a single synchronized cluster, depending on parameters of the system; and (3) partially diffuse and spatially organized monosynaptic linkages are capable of effecting a spatial inversion of fine-grained spatial patterns. Theoretical predictions are clarified by mathematical analysis and computer simulation.