Faisal A Aldo, Selen Luc P J, Wolpert Daniel M
Computational and Biological Learning Lab, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK.
Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008 Apr;9(4):292-303. doi: 10.1038/nrn2258.
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.
噪声——信号的随机干扰——给信息处理带来了一个基本问题，并影响神经系统功能的各个方面。然而，神经系统中噪声的性质、数量和影响直到最近才得到定量研究。实验和计算方法表明，多种噪声源导致了细胞层面和行为层面每次试验的变异性。我们回顾了从分子水平到行为水平的神经系统噪声源，并展示了噪声是如何导致每次试验的变异性的。我们强调了噪声如何影响神经元网络，以及神经系统用来对抗噪声有害影响的原理，并简要讨论了噪声的潜在益处。
