摘要：SummaryThe spiking variability of neural networks has important implications for how information is encoded to higher brain regions. It has been well documented by numerous labs in many cortical and motor regions that spiking variability decreases with stimulus onset, yet whether this principle holds in the OB has not been tested. In stark contrast to this common view, we demonstrate that the onset of sensory input can cause an increase in the variability of neural activity in the mammalian OB. We show this in both anesthetized and awake rodents. Furthermore, we use computational models to describe the mechanisms of this phenomenon. Our findings establish sensory evoked increases in spiking variability as a viable alternative coding strategy.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Unlike sensory cortex, OB spiking variability (noise) increases at stimulus onset•Modeling predicts evoked variability arises within OB rather than external sources•Optogenetic OB stimulation with fixed variability validates our model prediction•Covariance of spiking across neurons also increases at stimulus onsetBiological sciences; Cellular neuroscience; Sensory neuroscience; Computing methodology;
