Biology – Quantitative Biology – Neurons and Cognition
Scientific paper
2006-01-23
Nature Physics, 2, 348-351 (2006)
Biology
Quantitative Biology
Neurons and Cognition
2 figures, 6 pages
Scientific paper
10.1038/nphys289
A recurrent idea in the study of complex systems is that optimal information processing is to be found near bifurcation points or phase transitions. However, this heuristic hypothesis has few (if any) concrete realizations where a standard and biologically relevant quantity is optimized at criticality. Here we give a clear example of such a phenomenon: a network of excitable elements has its sensitivity and dynamic range maximized at the critical point of a non-equilibrium phase transition. Our results are compatible with the essential role of gap junctions in olfactory glomeruli and retinal ganglionar cell output. Synchronization and global oscillations also appear in the network dynamics. We propose that the main functional role of electrical coupling is to provide an enhancement of dynamic range, therefore allowing the coding of information spanning several orders of magnitude. The mechanism could provide a microscopic neural basis for psychophysical laws.
Copelli Mauro
Kinouchi Osame
No associations
LandOfFree
Optimal Dynamical Range of Excitable Networks at Criticality does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Optimal Dynamical Range of Excitable Networks at Criticality, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optimal Dynamical Range of Excitable Networks at Criticality will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-601983