Dynamic temporal decorrelation: An information-theoretic and biophysical model of the functional role of the lateral geniculate nucleus

We investigate if well-known LGN ion channel properties can facilitate info rmation-theoretic optimal coding through temporal decorrelation; and if so, whether the degree of temporal decorrelation can be adapted dynamically to ensure such optimization at longer time scales. Significant temporal decor relation for time lags above 50 ms is achievable in a LGN cell model with i nputs generated from natural visual stimuli. Dynamic decorrelation is obtai nable through adaptive temporal filtering by varying the resting membrane p otential. We conclude that the biophysical properties of LGN cells support the role of temporal decorrelation and enable a plausible feedback control mechanism that dynamically adapt to changes in input statistics. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.