A hierarchy of phase transitions in optimal neuronal coding: from binary to M-ary discrete optimal codes

A. Nikitin, N.G. Stocks, R.P. Morse

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

We have investigated how optimal coding for neural systems changes with the time available for decoding. Optimization was in terms of maximizing information transmission. We have estimated the parameters for Poisson neurons that optimize Shannon transinformation with the assumption of rate coding. We observed a hierarchy of phase transitions from binary coding, for small decoding times, toward discrete (M-ary) coding with two, three and more quantization levels for larger decoding times. We postulate that the presence of subpopulations with specific neural characteristics could be a signiture of an optimal population coding scheme and we use the mammalian auditory system as an example.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNoise and fluctuations in biological, biophysical, and biomedical systems
EditorsSergey M. Bezrukov
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)0-8194-6739-1, 978-0-8194-6739-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
EventNoise and fluctuations in biological, biophysical, and biomedical systems - Firenze, Italy
Duration: 21 Jan 200723 Jan 2007

Publication series

NameSPIE proceedings
PublisherSPIE
Volume6602
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceNoise and fluctuations in biological, biophysical, and biomedical systems
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFirenze
Period21/01/0723/01/07

Bibliographical note

A. Nikitin ; N. G. Stocks and R. P. Morse "A hierarchy of phase transitions in optimal neuronal coding: from binary to M -ary discrete optimal codes", Proc. SPIE 6602, Noise and Fluctuations in Biological, Biophysical, and Biomedical Systems, 66020H (June 08, 2007);

Copyright 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.724410

Keywords

  • mutual information
  • phase transition
  • optimal neuronal coding

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