Organizers

Milad Lankarany, P.Eng, Ph.D., (milad.lankarany@uhnresearch.ca), The Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network (UHN) & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Steven A. Prescott, MD-Ph.D., (Steve.Prescott@sickkids.ca), The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Duration

Wednesday, July 17th - 2019, One half day (one session)

Brief Description

The brain processes phenomenal amounts of information despite biological constraints on their maximal firing rate, network size, etc. (Laughlin and Sejnowski, 2003). Such constraints necessitate efficient neural coding strategies. In telecommunication systems, coding efficiency is increased by sending multiple messages simultaneously over a single communication channel, the so-called multiplexing. Emerging evidence suggests that brain can also multiplex. Understanding mechanisms underlying which neurons encode & decode multiple information simultaneously is a hot topic in both Neuroscience.

Neural systems, specifically, sensory systems, which process continual streams of input comprising multiple features, could especially benefit from multiplexing. Stimulus features evoke distinct “coding patterns”, thus information about each feature could be reconstructed (decoded) from spikes associated with the respective coding pattern. These spikes could conceivably be distinguished by (i) their patterning within a neuron, (ii) their differential association with network oscillations, or (iii) their stimulus-induced correlation across neurons. Therefore, multiplexing suggests that more than one coding strategy can simultaneously be performed to decode different features of the stimulus.

The main objective of this workshop is to explore the possibility of coexistence of distinct neural coding strategies – neural multiplexed coding – in different levels, ranging from single neurons to neuronal networks. Due to tremendous attraction into this topic over last 5 years, we believe that this workshop will address an overarching insight on how brain multiplexes, and discuss the latest findings in this domain from experimental, methodological and modeling perspectives. Our workshop is intended for a broad audience and will ideally attract audience members from diverse backgrounds. We have the opportunity of hosting leading scientists in both computational and experimental fields to address various aspects of multiplexing – from single neurons to network level. The workshop will finish with an open forum aimed at integrating the core concepts underlying neural multiplexed coding in different levels.

Speakers

Markus Diesmann (Julich, Germany)

Title: Open cortical multi-area model at cellular resolution

Arvind Kumar (KTH, Sweden)

Title: Synaptic constrains on neural code

Sungho Hong (Okinawa Institute of Technology, Japan)

Title: Lamina-specific Neuronal Properties Promote Robust, Stable Signal Propagation in Feedforward Networks

Steve Prescott (SickKids & University of Toronto, Canada)

Title: Multiplexed neural coding: Different strategies for different signals

Milad Lankarany (Krembil Research Institute & University of Toronto, Canada)

Title: Synchrony-Division Multiplexing; Neuronal Multiplexed Coding through Synchronous and Asynchronous spikes

Martin Vinck (Ernst Struengmann Institute for Neuroscience, Frankfurt, Germany)

Title: A Distinct Class of V1 Bursting Neurons with Specialized Coding and Synchronization Properties

Schedule

(9:30 – 10:15) Martin Vinck (Ernst Struengmann Institute for Neuroscience, Frankfurt, Germany)

A Distinct Class of V1 Bursting Neurons with Specialized Coding and Synchronization Properties

(10:15 – 11:00) Markus Diesmann (Julich, Germany)

Open cortical multi-area model at cellular resolution

(11:00 – 11:15) Coffee Break

(11:15 – 12:00) Sungho Hong (Okinawa Institute of Technology, Japan)

Lamina-specific Neuronal Properties Promote Robust, Stable Signal Propagation in Feedforward Networks

(12:00 – 12:30) Steve Prescott (SickKids & University of Toronto, Canada)

Multiplexed neural coding: Different strategies for different signals

(12:30 – 13:00) Milad Lankarany (Krembil Research Institute & University of Toronto, Canada)

Synchrony-Division Multiplexing; Neuronal Multiplexed Coding through Synchronous and Asynchronous spikes