What’s the Noise about? Aperiodic Noise in the Brain.
Presented by: Tiff Thompson, PhD, MFT, QEEG-D, R.EEG.T, BCN
This talk covers the fundamentals between signal (i.e. EEG rhythms and patterns) and aperiodic noise in the brain and the latest findings on aperiodicity, as well as its clinical application. In the infancy and childhood of life, there are rapid changes in the complexity and diversity of neurons and neuronal connections. At the same time, there is lessening aperiodic activity and increasing oscillatory frequencies and signals occurring throughout the span of childhood, while overall amplitude decreases. By seniority, the signal to noise ratio is relatively flattened (i.e. periodic noise increases), reflecting in lessened neuroplasticity, resiliency, and malleability to change.
Until recently, aperiodic noise was thought to be “filler,” against which the signal was superimposed; analogous to a blank canvas and colorful paint. New research is finding that there is information in the noise, which likely holds undiscovered secrets to the inner working of the brain. Turns out, this 1/f pattern crops up frequently in many aspects of nature and phenomena like the stock market; some believe it represents a yet unknown law of nature. This talk looks at the analysis of aperiodic noise, as well as the application of white noise, brown noise, and pink noise in neuromodulation.