Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A continuous information theoretic approach to the analysis of cutaneous receptor neurons

  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Information theoretic and statistical techniques for determining the number of discernible levels in cutaneous receptor neurons are reviewed. Reasons for the large variance in these results are discussed. A new continuous information theoretic analysis technique is presented that overcomes many of the problems in the other methods of analysis discussed. Comparison of this new method of analysis with a statistical technique developed by Schreiner et al. (1978) clearly shows some of the misconceptions that are associated with statistical analysis techniques, and why these problems cannot arise in the new information theoretic technique discussed here.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Jacobson, H.: The information capacity of the human ear. Science 112, 243 (1950)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenton, B., Kruger, L.: Information transmission in slowly adapting mechanoreceptive fibers. Exp. Neurol. 31, 114–139 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G.A.: The magical number seven, plus or minus two: some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychol. Rev. 63, 81–97 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiner, R.C., Eggick, G.K., Whitsel, B.L.: Variability in somatosensory cortical neuron discharge: effects on capacity to signal different stimulus conditions using a mean rate code. J. Neurophysiol. 41, 338–349 (1978)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shannon, C.E.: A mathematical theory of communication. Bell Syst. Techn. J. 27, 379–423 (1948)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, R.B.: The information capacity of nerve cells using a frequency code. Biophys. J. 7, 797–826 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walloe, L.: On the transmission of information through sensory neurons. Biophys. J. 8, 745–763 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, G., Mountcastle, V.B.: Neural activity in mechanoreceptive cutaneous afferents: stimulus response relations, Weber functions and information transmission. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 358–397 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, USA

    Marc S. Fuller

  2. Dept. of Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

    William J. Williams

Authors
  1. Marc S. Fuller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. William J. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported, in part, by USPHS grant NS08470 and a Rackham predoctoral fellowship

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fuller, M.S., Williams, W.J. A continuous information theoretic approach to the analysis of cutaneous receptor neurons. Biol. Cybern. 47, 13–16 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340064

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340064

Keywords

Search

Navigation