A theory and simulation of rhythmic behavior due to reciprocal inhibition in small nerve nets

Abstract

On the basis of a specific conceptual model of signal processing in neurons, together with some fragmentary arguments and evidence in physiological literature, an elementary theory of a "multivibrator effect" producible by reciprocally inhibiting neurons is developed. The results of exploratory simulation experiments are described, and speculations on the possible role of the multivibrator effect in semiautomatic muscle control systems are presented.