Correlated activity favors synergistic processing in local cortical networks in vitro at synaptically relevant timescales.

ABSTRACT: Neural information processing is widely understood to depend on correlations in neuronal activity. However, whether correlation is favorable or not is contentious. Here, we sought to determine how correlated activity and information processing are related in cortical circuits. Using recordings of hundreds of spiking neurons in organotypic cultures of mouse neocortex, we asked whether mutual information between neurons that feed into a common third neuron increased synergistic information processing by the receiving neuron. We found that mutual information and synergistic processing were positively related at synaptic timescales (0.05-14 ms), where mutual information values were low. This effect was mediated by the increase in information transmission-of which synergistic processing is a co

SUBMITTER: Sherrill SP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7462423 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature