scientist are one step nearer to see how the brain convert external stimuli into opinion , sensations and experience , after observing how an intact universe of nerve cell in a rabbit ’s retina sour together to encode the ocular populace .
In particular , the research worker were concerned in observe how the wit compensates for “ neural randomness ” . This refers to the phenomenon whereby case-by-case neurons react otherwise to the same stimulation on different occasions , as the activity of any render neuron is pretend by a range of inner and outside component .
As such , the reliability of a neuron is jolly compromised , as the precision of its answer to a repeated stimulus is treacherous . Because of this , it has often been assumed that neuronal stochasticity is a spoiled matter , as it make it hard for our brains to count on what is actually going on around us .
However , write in the journalNeuron , the study authors explain that while neuronal disturbance may tarnish the precision of individual nerve cell , large population of neuron may in fact have evolved certain mechanisms that actually allow them tobenefit from this response pas seul .
To test this , they link rabbit retinas to a multielectrode array hold in 11,011 Pt electrodes , enabling them to observe the activity of each neuron in these retinas as they responded to a moving bar of light .
They discovered that the response of each neuron to the same stimulant vary greatly between repeat trials , meaning that neuronic dissonance was high . However , the overall output signal give off by this universe of neurons was highly accurate . Describing this burden , study Centennial State - author Felix Franke explain in astatementthat “ if the stimulation is the numeral three , then one neuron will perhaps give us a two , and the neuron next to it a four . If we take the norm of them both , the resolution is right . view individually , each solution would be wrong . ”
It therefore stands to reason that the higher the identification number of neurons in a population , the more accurate the average signal will be . Unsurprisingly , therefore , the researchers found neuronal noise to be increasingly good in larger neuron population than in small ones , as it tolerate for a more accurate intermediate signaling to be generated .
Not only does this inquiry advise that it may in fact be more utile for neuroscientists to examine overall population of neurons rather than individual neurons when attempting to discover how the brain works , but it could also lead to new forms of treatment and therapy . For illustration , Franke lay claim that “ if we can understand how neural networks go , then we can also considerably understand the diseases that are associate with them . ”
range : Neuroscientists have be given to focus on signals throw off by individual neurons , though this new enquiry suggests it may be more useful to examine populations of nerve cell . Sebastian Kaulitzki / Shutterstock
