title: The relationship between cross-correlation measures and underlying synaptic events.
abstract: The relationship between an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and the cross-correlation derived from the spike train evoked by a Poisson stimulus train was studied by computer stimulation. The neuron model had a constant threshold and an absolute refractory period. Following a spike, the membrane potential was determined by ongoing activity, i.e., it was not 'reset'. Under all conditions studied, the rise time of the cross-correlation peak accurately reflected EPSP rise time. The agreement between the half-width of the cross-correlation peak and that of the underlying EPSP depended upon the EPSP amplitude, the rate of the driving Poisson input, and the time course of the EPSP. Over a broad range of experimentally relevant conditions, the half-width of the cross-correlation peak deviated from that of the underlying EPSP by less than 30% and bore little resemblance to that of the EPSP's time derivative.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Surmeier
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D005071:Evoked Potentials; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission