Information Capacity and Transmission Are Maximized in Balanced Cortical Networks with Neuronal Avalanches

The repertoire of neural activity patterns that a cortical network can produce constrains the ability of the network to transfer and process information. Here, we measured activity patterns obtained from multisite local field potential recordings in cortex cultures, urethane-anesthetized rats, and awake macaque monkeys. First, we quantified the information capacity of the pattern repertoire of ongoing and stimulus-evoked activity using Shannon entropy. Next, we quantified the efficacy of information transmission between stimulus and response using mutual information. By systematically changing the ratio of excitation/inhibition (E/I) in vitro and in a network model, we discovered that both information capacity…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Defense

  Award: N000140710734
• MU
  Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative
• OO
  Office of Naval Research

  Awards: N000140710734, ONR N000140710734
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health