Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Multichannel Extracellular Recording in Freely Moving Mice
Published on: May 26, 2023
Common input explains higher-order correlations and entropy in a simple model of neural population activity
Jakob H Macke1, Manfred Opper, Matthias Bethge
1Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, University College London, London, United Kingdom. jakob@gatsby.ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Simultaneously recorded neurons exhibit correlations whose underlying causes are not known. Here, we use a population of threshold neurons receiving correlated inputs to model neural population recordings. We show analytically that small changes in second-order correlations can lead to large changes in higher-order redundancies, and that the resulting interactions have a strong impact on the entropy, sparsity, and statistical heat capacity of the population. Our findings for this simple model may explain some surprising effects recently observed in neural population recordings.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Neural Circuits
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Parameters Affecting Nonlinear Elimination: Zero-Order Input, First-Order Absorption and Two-Compartment Model
When a drug is administered through a constant intravenous infusion and eliminated via nonlinear pharmacokinetics, it follows zero-order input. For example, oral drugs undergo first-order absorption upon administration and are eliminated through nonlinear pharmacokinetics.
In the case of subcutaneously administered drugs,...
Entropy Changes Accompanying Specific Processes
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Neuronal Communication
Propagation of Action Potentials
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...

