Optimal dynamical range of excitable networks at criticality

ABSTRACT A recurrent idea in the study of complex systems is that optimal information processing is to be found near phase transitions. However, this heuristic hypothesis has few (if any)

concrete realizations where a standard and biologically relevant quantity is optimized at criticality. Here we give a clear example of such a phenomenon: a network of excitable elements has

its sensitivity and dynamic range maximized at the critical point of a non-equilibrium phase transition. Our results are compatible with the essential role of gap junctions in olfactory

glomeruli and retinal ganglionar cell output. Synchronization and global oscillations also emerge from the network dynamics. We propose that the main functional role of electrical coupling

is to provide an enhancement of dynamic range, therefore allowing the coding of information spanning several orders of magnitude. The mechanism could provide a microscopic neural basis for

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CAPES and PRONEX. The authors are grateful for discussions with A. C. Roque, R. F. Oliveira, D. Restrepo, T. Cleland and V. R. Vitorino de Assis and for encouragement from N. Caticha. AUTHOR

INFORMATION Author notes * Osame Kinouchi and Mauro Copelli: These authors contributed equally to this work AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Departamento de Física e Matemática, Faculdade de

Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil Osame Kinouchi * Departamento de Física,

Laboratório de Física Teórica e Computacional, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil Mauro Copelli Authors * Osame Kinouchi View author publications You can also

search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Mauro Copelli View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to

Osame Kinouchi. ETHICS DECLARATIONS COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS

ARTICLE Kinouchi, O., Copelli, M. Optimal dynamical range of excitable networks at criticality. _Nature Phys_ 2, 348–351 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys289 Download citation *

Received: 06 February 2006 * Accepted: 27 March 2006 * Published: 23 April 2006 * Issue Date: May 2006 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys289 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the

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