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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
The development of a noisy brain
A R McIntosh1, N Kovacevic, S Lippe
1Rotman Research Institute of Baycrest Centre, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. rmcintosh@rotman-baycrest.on.ca
Archives Italiennes De Biologie
|December 24, 2010
Summary
Brain development increases "brain noise," reflecting more network configurations and enhanced processing. This increased variability correlates with stable behavior across the lifespan, indicating greater functional potential.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Brain development involves significant structural changes impacting neuronal networks.
- Maturation shifts the brain from a deterministic to a more stochastic system.
- This stochasticity is linked to increased functional network configurations and variability, termed 'brain noise'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and characteristics of brain noise during development and aging.
- To understand how brain noise relates to cognitive function and behavioral stability.
- To explore the implications of brain noise changes for functional network potential.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of empirical data using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Correlation of brain noise variability with behavioral measures in infants, children, and older adults.
- Integration of empirical findings with existing computational modeling work.
Main Results:
- Brain noise increases with maturation in infants and children, correlating positively with behavioral stability and accuracy.
- The increase in brain noise is attributed to heightened network-level interactions and reduced local noise.
- In older adults, brain noise continues to change, with regional variations impacting network configurations, yet the link to behavioral stability persists.
Conclusions:
- Maturational changes in brain noise signify an enhancement of functional network potential.
- Brain noise represents the dynamic repertoire of the brain, adapting across the lifespan.
- Understanding brain noise dynamics is crucial for comprehending cognitive development and aging processes.
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