Comparison Between Synaptic and Neuronal Density

Abstract

The average number of synapses per neuron is a value which gains importance in theoretical considerations about cortical function. It reveals the maximum possible degree of dispersion of the signals emanating from one neuron, or conversely, the maximal possible convergence of signals from different sources onto one neuron. On the other hand, convergence/divergence may not be the essence of the story. If we suppose that one neuron may be connected to another not just by one but by any number of synapses, the numerical ratio of synapses and neurons in the tissue is an indication of how fine the tuning of the influence can be. Our personal preference for one or the other interpretation of the number of synapses per neuron will be apparent in a later section of this book.