DIGITAL COMPUTER SIMULATION OF A SIMPLIFIED NERVE NET,
Abstract
A neural model of a diffuse, randomly connected two-dimensional network based on the anatomical and physiological evidence of coelenterate nerve nets was constructed and simulated on a digital computer. An experimental on-line nerve net simulation system equipped with a CRT display unit and on-line input keyboards was developed, so that the response of the simulated net could be directly observed and human judgment used during the computation. The response of the model to different input parameters was investigated and the factors which affect the spread of excitation were evaluated. The results of the experiments performed showed that (1) the proportion of transmissive junctions of the net is the dominant factor in determining the characteristics of the response; (2) the length of the advancing front of the excitation spread is one of the factors which influence the distance of spread; (3) three types of excitation spread following repetitive stimulation exist, namely, spread in decreasing distance increments, spread in equal distance increments, and spread in increasing distance increments. The last type of spread is not very well confirmed due to the small size of the net. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0634289
Entities
People
- Shiang Fan Liu
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles