title: Noise in the nervous system.
abstract: Noise--random disturbances of signals--poses a fundamental problem for information processing and affects all aspects of nervous-system function. However, the nature, amount and impact of noise in the nervous system have only recently been addressed in a quantitative manner. Experimental and computational methods have shown that multiple noise sources contribute to cellular and behavioural trial-to-trial variability. We review the sources of noise in the nervous system, from the molecular to the behavioural level, and show how noise contributes to trial-to-trial variability. We highlight how noise affects neuronal networks and the principles the nervous system applies to counter detrimental effects of noise, and briefly discuss noise's potential benefits.
authors.affiliation: Computational and Biological Learning Lab, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK. aaf23@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: A Aldo
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Faisal
authors.forename: Luc P J
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Selen
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wolpert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007257:Information Theory; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009622:Noise