The Organization of Neuronal Discharge on Timescales of Milliseconds and Seconds Is Related to the Spatial Response Properties of Hippocampal Neurons

Abstract

According to a widely held view, the neuronal discharge underlying cognition is structured into temporally and functionally organized cell assemblies. What timescale(s) this dynamic organization operates on, is an open question. We analyze the relationship between the timing of the discharge amongst hippocampus neurons and the information they process that is manifest in the spatial response properties of these cells. On timescales of tens of milliseconds and seconds, we observed that the firing of cells with similar response properties is positively correlated, while the firing of cells with distinct response properties is uncorrelated or negatively correlated. Our results show that neuronal discharge is organized on a range of timescales, which may serve distinct functions.