Efficiency, information theory, and neural representations

Authors
Devlin, JT Davis, MH McLelland, SA Russell, RP
Citation
Jt. Devlin et al., Efficiency, information theory, and neural representations, BEHAV BRAIN, 23(4), 2000, pp. 475
Citations number
4
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology,"Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCES
ISSN journal
0140525X → ACNP
Volume
23
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Database
ISI
SICI code
0140-525X(200008)23:4<475:EITANR>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
We contend that if efficiency and reliability are important factors in neur al information processing then distributed, not localist, representations a re "evolution's best bet." We note that distributed codes are the most effi cient method for representing information, and that this efficiency minimiz es metabolic costs, providing adaptive advantage to an organism.