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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Spiking Neurons And The First Passage Problem, Lawrence Sirovich, Bruce Knight Jan 2011

Spiking Neurons And The First Passage Problem, Lawrence Sirovich, Bruce Knight

Knight Laboratory

We derive a model of a neuron's interspike interval probability density through analysis of the first passage problem. The fit of our expression to retinal ganglion cell laboratory data extracts three physiologically relevant parameters, with which our model yields input-output features that conform to laboratory results. Preliminary analysis suggests that under common circumstances, local circuitry readjusts these parameters with changes in firing rate and so endeavors to faithfully replicate an input signal. Further results suggest that the so-called principle of sloppy workmanship also plays a role in evolution's choice of these parameters.


Estimating The Amount Of Information Conveyed By A Population Of Neurons, Marshall Crumiller, Bruce Knight, Yunguo Yu, Ehud Kaplan Jan 2011

Estimating The Amount Of Information Conveyed By A Population Of Neurons, Marshall Crumiller, Bruce Knight, Yunguo Yu, Ehud Kaplan

Knight Laboratory

Recent technological advances have made the simultaneous recording of the activity of many neurons common. However, estimating the amount of information conveyed by the discharge of a neural population remains a significant challenge. Here we describe our recently published analysis method that assists in such estimates. We describe the key concepts and assumptions on which the method is based, illustrate its use with data from both simulated and real neurons recorded from the lateral geniculate nucleus of a monkey, and show how it can be used to calculate redundancy and synergy among neuronal groups.