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arXiv · 0809.1549

Neural Population Coding is Optimized by Discrete Tuning Curves

Alexander P. Nikitin·Nigel G. Stocks·Robert P. Morse·Mark D. McDonnell
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Abstract

The sigmoidal tuning curve that maximizes the mutual information for a Poisson neuron, or population of Poisson neurons, is obtained. The optimal tuning curve is found to have a discrete structure that results in a quantization of the input signal. The number of quantization levels undergoes a hierarchy of phase transitions as the length of the coding window is varied. We postulate, using the mammalian auditory system as an example, that the presence of a subpopulation structure within a neural population is consistent with an optimal neural code.

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Alexander P. Nikitin, Nigel G. Stocks, Robert P. Morse, Mark D. McDonnell. 2009-09-24. Neural Population Coding is Optimized by Discrete Tuning Curves. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.103.138101

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