Significance of random neuronal drive

E!ectively random "ring occurs frequently in the brain. Random components of neuronal drive are therefore often major in#uences on activity. We describe here how level of drive, inhibitory/excitatory balance, correlation between input streams, EPSP/IPSP characteristics, the nature of the postsynaptic neuron all a!ect pattern and level of "ring, the in#uence often interacting in complex ways. Random "ring might also be instrumental in facilitating synchronized "ring. These factors are possibly important elements of the mechanisms by which some neural networks encode information. Clarifying them might therefore facilitate a deeper understanding of the nature of the neural code. 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.