Abstract
Information calculations were performed using different codes for the same neuronal impulse data. Under various stimulus conditions the data were obtained from first, second and fourth order neurons (muscle spindles, neurons of the dorsal spino-cerebellar tract and principal cells of the lateral geniculate body of the cat) which had different transneuronal couplings between input and output. A code matched approximately to the signal transfer properties of the investigated neuronal systems was applied. This code was realized by performing a time-weighted average of the input signal with the weighting function being derived from the cross-correlation between the neuronal input and output. Computations of the transinformation using this weighted-average code and the rate code (“frequency code”) were carried out to show the loss of transinformation due to restrictions in these codes. This loss was determined by comparison with calculations without code restrictions (signal code). In all computations the weighted-average code yielded results ranging from 90 to 99% of those of the signal code. This demonstrates that nearly all information is transmitted by the linear part of the coupling. The results of the rate code did not approximate those of the signal code as closely (5–92%) as in the case of the weighted-average code indicating an unreliability in the rate code when applied to transneuronal signal transmission. Reasons for this unreliability are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adrian, E.D.: The basis of sensation. London: Christopher 1928
Ash, R.: Information theory. New York, London, Sydney: John Wiley and Sons 1965
Bullock, T.H.: Representation of information in neurons and sites for molecular participation. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. 60, 1058–1068 (1968)
Eckhorn, R., Pöpel, B.: Statistical network analysis of cat lateral geniculate body: cross correlation and rate of transinformation. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. (Suppl.) 335 R85 (1972)
Eckhorn, R., Pöpel, B.: Information theoretical analysis of the transmission of optical signals by the cat's visual system. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. (Suppl.) 343, R 92 (1973)
Eckhorn, R., Pöpel, B.: Rigorous and extended application of information theory to the afferent visual system of the cat. I. Basic concepts. Kybernetik 16, 191–200 (1974)
Eckhorn, R., Pöpel, B.: Rigorous and extended application of information theory to the afferent visual system of the cat. II. Experimental results. Biol. Cybernetics 17, 7–17 (1975)
Eysel, U.Th., Grüsser, O.-J., Pecci-Saavedra, J.: Signal transmission through degenerating synapses in the lateral geniculate body of the cat. Brain Res. 76, 49–70 (1974)
Eysel, U.Th.: Quantitative studies of intracellular postsynaptic potentials in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. I. Amplitudes, latencies, and the time course of the responses to optic tract stimuli. Submitted for publication (1975)
Eysel, U.Th., Grüsser, O.-J.: Intracellular postsynaptic potentials of cat lateral geniculate cells and the effects of degeneration of the optic terminals. Brain Res. 98, 441–455 (1975)
Färber, G.: Berechnung und Messung des Informationsflusses der Nervenfaser. Kybernetik 5, 17–29 (1968)
Grüsser, O.-J.: Die Informationskapazität einzelner Nervenzellen für die Signalübermittlung im Zentralnervensystem. Kybernetik 1, 209–211 (1962)
Grüsser, O.-J., Hellner, K.A., Grüsser-Cornehls, U.: Die Informationsübertragung im afferenten visuellen System. Kybernetik 1, 175–192 (1962)
Grüsser, O.-J.: Informationstheorie und die Signalverarbeitung in den Sinnesorganen und im Nervensystem. Naturwissenschaften 59, 436–447 (1972)
Grüsser, O.-J., Kröller, J.: The effect of excitatory signals from single muscle spindles on the response of the dorsal spino-cerebellar tract. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. (Suppl.) 343, R 76 (1973)
Grüsser, O.-J., Pellnitz, K.: Stimulation of static and dynamic gamma fibers and its effect on the signal transmission of muscle spindle receptors. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. (Suppl.) 343, R77 (1973)
Grüsser, O.-J., Kröller, J., Pellnitz, K., Querfurth, H.: Noise and the signal processing by receptors and neurons. In: Drischel, H., Dettmer, P. (Eds.): Biokybernetik V, Symposion Leipzig 1973, pp. 19–40. Jena: VEB G. Fischer 1975
Lee, Y.W.: Statistical theory of communication New York, London, Sydney: John Wiley and Sons 1960
Lee, Y.W., Schetzen, M.: Measurement of the Wiener kernels of a non-linear system by cross-correlation. Int. J. Control 2, 237–254 (1965)
Levick, W.R., Cleland, B.G., Dubin, M.W.: Lateral geniculate neurons of cat: retinal inputs and physiology. Invest. Ophthalm. 11 302–311 (1972)
MacKay, D.M., McCulloch, W.S.: The limiting information capacity of a neuronal link. Bull. math. Biophys. 14, 274–284 (1952)
Matthews, P.B.C.: Mammalian muscle receptors and their control actions. London: Edward Arnold Ltd. 1972
McKean, T.A., Popele, R.E., Rosenthal, N.P., Tercuolo, C.A.: The biologically relevant parameter in nerve impulse trains. Kybernetik 6, 168–170 (1970)
Moore, G.P., Segundo, J.P., Perkel, D.H., Levitan, H.: Statistical signs of synaptic interactions in neurons. Biophys. J., 10, 876–900 (1970)
Nakahama, H., Ishii, N., Yamamoto, M., Fujii, H.: Statistical inference on Markov process of neuronal impulse sequences. Kybernetik 15, 47–64 (1973)
Perkel, D.H.: Spike trains as carriers of information. In: Quarton, G.C., Melnechuk, T., Schmitt, F.O. (Eds.): The neurosciences: a study program, pp. 587–597. New York: The Rockefeller University Press 1971
Rapoport, A., Horvath, W.: The theoretical channel capacity of a single neuron as determined by various coding systems. Inform. Control 3, 335–350 (1960)
Saito, K.: The synaptology and cytology of the Clarke cell in nucleus dorsalis of the cat: an electron microscopic study. J. Neurocytol. 3, 179–197 (1974)
Segundo, J.P.: Communication and coding by nerve cells. In: Quarton, G.C., Melnechuk, T., Schmitt, F.O. (Eds.): The neurosciences: a study program, pp. 569–585. New York: The Rockefeller University Press 1971
Shannon, C.E.: A mathematical theory of communication. Bell Syst. techn. J. 27, 379–423, 623–653 (1948)
Stein, R.B.: The information capacity of nerve cells using a frequency code. Biophys. J. 7, 796–826 (1967)
Stein, R. B., French, A.S.: Models for the transmission of information by nerve cells. In: Andersen, P., Jansen, J.K.S. (Eds.): Excitatory synaptic mechanisms. Proc. 5th Internat. Meeting of Neurobiologists. Oslo 1970
Szentágothai, J., Albert, A.: The synaptology of Clarke's column. Acta Morph. Hung 5, 43–51 (1955)
Walløe, L.: On the transmission of information through sensory neurons. Biophys. J. 8, 745–763 (1970)
Werner, G., Mountcastle, V.B.: Neural activity in mechanoreceptive cutaneous afferents: stimulus response relations. Weber functions and information transmission. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 359–397 (1965)
Wiener, N.: Nonlinear problems in random theory. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 1958
Wolfowitz, J.: Coding theorems of information theory. Berlin, Göttingen, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1964
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Eckhorn, R., Grüsser, O.J., Kröller, J. et al. Efficiency of different neuronal codes: Information transfer calculations for three different neuronal systems. Biol. Cybernetics 22, 49–60 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340232
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340232