Dictionary of Biological Psychology
The labelled-line coding theory posits that the meaning of activity in a given NEURON (line) is unequivocally labelled in its meaning: for instance, it codes the sensation of red, sour, or 1000 Hz. Structures such as the kidneys, heart and peripheral nerves have clear, unique functions. But individual neurons each seem to be involved in many functions.
A ‘red’ neuron will respond to many wavelengths, and a ‘sour’ neuron will respond to taste stimuli other than sour. However this theory accounts well for some stereotyped stimulus-response relationships (see DOCTRINE OF SPECIFIC NERVE ENERGIES). This theory is a small version of the modular coding of more complex events; on both scales the problems of limited information capacity and the BINDING together of various aspects of an event are demonstrated. See the ACROSS-FIBRE PATTERN THEORY for a different orientation to neural coding.
See also: binding problem; engram; grandmother cell
ROBERT P.ERICKSON
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