Willy Wong (Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto) | On the Asymptotic, Near-equilibrium Sensory Response

Abstract

I will present a somewhat different approach to modelling sensory processing of information by neurons. This work is based on a theory of sensation developed by Ken Norwich, myself and others. The near equilibrium, asymptotic sensory response of peripheral neurons can be understood in terms of a measurement analogy, coupled with an assumption about the statistics of sensory signals. The approach involves aspects of information theory, Bayesian statistics and complex systems, and provides a quantitative means of predicting the neural peripheral response to a wide variety of sensory inputs. The approach is reminiscent of statistical physics.