Dynamics of encoding in a population of neurons

J Gen Physiol. 1972 Jun;59(6):734-66. doi: 10.1085/jgp.59.6.734.

Abstract

A simple encoder model, which is a reasonable idealization from known electrophysiological properties, yields a population in which the variation of the firing rate with time is a perfect replica of the shape of the input stimulus. A population of noise-free encoders which depart even slightly from the simple model yield a very much degraded copy of the input stimulus. The presence of noise improves the performance of such a population. The firing rate of a population of neurons is related to the firing rate of a single member in a subtle way.

MeSH terms

  • Models, Neurological*
  • Neural Conduction*
  • Neural Inhibition
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Periodicity
  • Probability