Physics

Multiplexing

Action (physics)

Computer network

Epistemology

Philosophy

Blocking (statistics)

Artificial intelligence

Set (abstract data type)

Programming language

Code (set theory)

Computer science

Simple (philosophy)

Quantum mechanics

Theoretical computer science

Information transmission

Transmission (telecommunications)

Telecommunications

Neural coding

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Significance Understanding the neural code is to attribute proper meaning to temporal sequences of action potentials. We report a simple neural code based on distinguishing single spikes from spikes in close succession, commonly called “bursts.” By separating these two types of responses, we show that ensembles of neurons can communicate rapidly changing and graded information from two sources simultaneously and with minimal cross-talk. Second, we show that this multiplexing can optimize the information transferred per action potential when bursts are relatively rare. Finally, we show that neurons can demultiplex these two streams of information. We propose that this multiplexing may be particularly important in hierarchical communication where bottom–up and top–down information must be distinguished.

Sparse bursts optimize information transmission in a multiplexed neural code