Noisy channel description of memory storage. A, Loading m possible initial conditions into n possible wells initially reduces information. After the storage period (T), information may have been lost due to hops between wells. B, Purely Gaussian probability density with the effective diffusion coefficient Deff calculated when n = 4 and σ2 = 0.16. The area of each filled portion represents the probability of recalling the cue angle associated with that color. Each area corresponds to the probability of transitioning from the original state to that state pj→k. C, For n = 8, the effective diffusion coefficient Deff is larger, leading to faster spreading.