Multifractality in neural code of the blowfly

Author(s)

Nataly Horner Hoe de Castro

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT)
• Defense date: 2008-11-05

Examining board members

Roland Koberle; Leonardo Paulo Maia; Antonio Carlos Roque da Silva Filho

• Advisor: Roland Koberle

Abstract

How is information about the natural environment coded in the brain neural activity? Is there really a neural code that reigns throughout the neural processing? These are some of the greatest questions of todays Neuroscience. Assuming that well succeeded strategies are preserved and reused through Evolution, we seek to explore these questions by analyzing the extracellular response of the blowfly visual system H1 neuron to certain visual stimuli with well known statistical distributions of horizontal velocities. Using a Complex Systems approach, the multifractality analysis of H1s neural code casts highlights in its fascinating coding strategy, supporting the idea that this neuron is capable of speaking different languages by adjusting itself to the complexity in visual stimuli in a very dynamical and flexible way (1), aiming at a optimal information transmission (2). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/03589-9 - Multifractality in neural code of the blowfly
• Grantee: Nataly Horner Hoe de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master