On the Rate Coding Response of Peripheral Sensory Neurons

TL;DR

This paper derives a theoretical expression for the rate coding response of peripheral sensory neurons using information theory and Bayesian statistics, showing good agreement with experimental data across species and modalities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel neurophysiological equation derived from a theoretical framework that requires minimal biological assumptions.

Findings

Good agreement with spike-frequency adaptation data

Discovery of a new neurophysiological equation

Applicable across different sensory modalities and species

Abstract

The rate coding response of a single peripheral sensory neuron in the asymptotic, near-equilibrium limit can be derived using information theory, asymptotic Bayesian statistics and a theory of complex systems. Almost no biological knowledge is required. The theoretical expression shows good agreement with spike-frequency adaptation data across different sensory modalities and animal species. The approach permits the discovery of a new neurophysiological equation and shares similarities with statistical physics.