title: Variability in neural activity and behavior.
abstract: Neural activity and behavior in laboratory experiments are surprisingly variable across trials. This variability and its potential causes have been the focus of a spirited debate. Here we review recent research that has shed light on the sources of neural variability and its impact on behavior. We explain how variability may arise from incomplete knowledge about an animal's internal states and its environment. We discuss the problem of incomplete knowledge both from the experimenter's point of view and from the animal's point of view. Both view points are illustrated through several examples from the literature. We furthermore consider both mechanistic and normative models that explain how neural and behavioral variability may be linked. Finally, we review why variability may confer an adaptive advantage to organisms.
authors.affiliation: Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida Brasilia, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: alfonso.renart@neuro.fchampalimaud.org.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renart
authors.affiliation: Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida Brasilia, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: christian.machens@neuro.fchampalimaud.org.
authors.forename: Christian K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Machens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*