Analysis of multi-unit data from a neural ensemble controlling directed movement

Information coding within a population of neurons was studied by simultaneously observing their activity using extracellular recordings. It was found that the largest neurons´ activity could be reliably monitored and that directional information was more clearly coded by the number of action potentials (APs) that by latency. For both individual and ensemble properties of the observed cells it was found that the number of APs was more important than time to AP firing for right vs. left discrimination. The analyses showed that the large giant interneurons observed had information within their responses to discriminate wind direction-as is required if they are to orient escape turning.<>