Figure 1. Schematic representation of a phase code.

Firing rate of a cell in response to three different stimuli. By reading out the number of spikes per unit time (the height of the bars), stimulus 1 is distinguishable from the other two stimuli. However, stimuli 2 and 3 induce the same response, and therefore cannot be discriminated on the basis of the firing rate alone. However, if also the timing with respect to the phase of the LFP is taken into account, stimuli 2 and 3 become distinguishable. Inspired on a figure from [11].