Synergy mediates long-range correlations in the visual cortex near criticality
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Long-range correlations are a key signature of systems operating near criticality, indicating spatially-extended interactions across large distances. These extended dependencies underlie other emergent properties of critical dynamics, such as high susceptibility and multi-scale coordination. In the brain, along with other signatures of criticality, long-range correlations have
been observed across various spatial scales, suggesting that the brain may operate near a critical point to optimise information processing and adaptability. However, the mechanisms underlying these long-range correlations remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of synergistic interactions in mediating long-range correlations in the visual cortex of awake mice. We leverage recent advances in mesoscale two-photon calcium imaging to analyse the activity of thousands of neurons across a wide field of view, allowing us to confirm the presence of long-range correlations at the level of neuronal populations.
By applying the Partial Information Decomposition (PID) framework, we decompose the correlations into synergistic and redundant information interactions. Our results reveal that the increase in long-range correlations during visual stimulation is accompanied by a significant increase in synergistic rather than redundant interactions among neurons. Furthermore, we
analyse a combined network formed by the union of synergistic and redundant interaction networks, and find that both types of interactions complement each other to facilitate efficient information processing across long distances. This complementarity is further enhanced during the visual stimulation. These findings provide new insights into the computational mechanisms that
give rise to long-range correlations in neural systems and highlight the importance of considering different types of information interactions in understanding correlations in the brain.
been observed across various spatial scales, suggesting that the brain may operate near a critical point to optimise information processing and adaptability. However, the mechanisms underlying these long-range correlations remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of synergistic interactions in mediating long-range correlations in the visual cortex of awake mice. We leverage recent advances in mesoscale two-photon calcium imaging to analyse the activity of thousands of neurons across a wide field of view, allowing us to confirm the presence of long-range correlations at the level of neuronal populations.
By applying the Partial Information Decomposition (PID) framework, we decompose the correlations into synergistic and redundant information interactions. Our results reveal that the increase in long-range correlations during visual stimulation is accompanied by a significant increase in synergistic rather than redundant interactions among neurons. Furthermore, we
analyse a combined network formed by the union of synergistic and redundant interaction networks, and find that both types of interactions complement each other to facilitate efficient information processing across long distances. This complementarity is further enhanced during the visual stimulation. These findings provide new insights into the computational mechanisms that
give rise to long-range correlations in neural systems and highlight the importance of considering different types of information interactions in understanding correlations in the brain.
Date Issued
2026-02-06
Date Acceptance
2026-01-21
Citation
Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 2026, 20 (1)
ISSN
1662-5188
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience
Volume
20
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2026 Rajpal, Stefens, Saeedian, Canzano, Kareithi, Barahona, Smith, Schultz and Jensen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).Theuse, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
License URL
Identifier
10.3389/fncom.2026.1741793
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1741793
Date Publish Online
2026-02-06