TY - JOUR
T1 - Stochastic resonance in the sensory systems and its applications in neural prosthetics
AU - Matthews, Patrick
AU - Raul, Pratik
AU - Ward, Lawrence M.
AU - van Boxtel, Jeroen J.A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was funded by the Australian Government through an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (project number DP220100406).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - Noise is generally considered to be detrimental. In the right conditions, however, noise can improve signal detection or information transmission. This counterintuitive phenomenon is called stochastic resonance (SR). SR has generated significant interdisciplinary interest, particularly in physics, engineering, and medical and environmental sciences. In this review, we discuss a growing empirical literature that suggests that noise at the right intensity may improve the detection and processing of auditory, sensorimotor, and visual stimuli. We focus particularly on applications of SR in sensory biology and investigate whether SR-based technologies present a pathway to improve outcomes for individuals living with sensory impairments. We conclude that there is considerable evidence supporting the application of SR in developing sensory prosthetics. However, the progression of SR-based technologies is variable across the sensory modalities. We suggest opportunities for further advancements in each modality, considering the best approaches to maximise benefits and capitalise on progress already made. Overall, SR can offer opportunities to improve existing technologies or to motivate innovations.
AB - Noise is generally considered to be detrimental. In the right conditions, however, noise can improve signal detection or information transmission. This counterintuitive phenomenon is called stochastic resonance (SR). SR has generated significant interdisciplinary interest, particularly in physics, engineering, and medical and environmental sciences. In this review, we discuss a growing empirical literature that suggests that noise at the right intensity may improve the detection and processing of auditory, sensorimotor, and visual stimuli. We focus particularly on applications of SR in sensory biology and investigate whether SR-based technologies present a pathway to improve outcomes for individuals living with sensory impairments. We conclude that there is considerable evidence supporting the application of SR in developing sensory prosthetics. However, the progression of SR-based technologies is variable across the sensory modalities. We suggest opportunities for further advancements in each modality, considering the best approaches to maximise benefits and capitalise on progress already made. Overall, SR can offer opportunities to improve existing technologies or to motivate innovations.
KW - Neural prosthetics
KW - Noise
KW - Sensory systems
KW - Stochastic resonance
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199293552&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.07.004
DO - 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.07.004
M3 - Review article
C2 - 39047671
AN - SCOPUS:85199293552
SN - 1388-2457
VL - 165
SP - 182
EP - 200
JO - Clinical Neurophysiology
JF - Clinical Neurophysiology
ER -