Comparison of linear and direct estimates of information rates in various sensory systems.

Comparison of methods of estimating information rate which either take into account temporal patterns of spikes (direct methods) or which assume independence of consecutive spikes (reverse reconstruction methodologies). All values for information rates are reported as bits/second, except for the values for cat thalamus, which are reported in units of bits/spike.
*The estimate of information rate from linear reconstruction for H1 was actually based on an artificial left/right pair, while the direct method estimate was for a single neuron. The ratio reported here of direct estimate/linear reconstruction estimate was based on one-half of the value from linear reconstruction, as estimates from such artificial pairs tend to double the information estimate of single cells [4].
†Cat Retinal cells were split into four physiological categories- on and off X cells, and on and off Y cells. In this table the four categories were summarized by two numbers, with on and off X cells lumped into one category (numbers on the left for information rates and ratios), and on and off Y cells placed in a second category (numbers on the right).
‡The electric fish ELL was stimulated with two different, behaviorally relevant stimulus geometries: local geometry corresponding to prey signals (numbers on the left for information rates and ratios), and global geometry corresponding to conspecific signaling (numbers on the right).
§Data reported are from same cells as used in the present study. Values reported are mean ± SD, n = 40.