Bring the Noise: Reconceptualizing Spontaneous Neural Activity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• The definition of the 'signal of interest' in neuroscience is debated, influenced by evolving views on spontaneous neural activity.
• The challenge of distinguishing neural signals from background noise impacts understanding of brain function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how the signal-vs-noise problem in neuroscience prompts new conceptualizations of brain organization.
• To explore the interplay between signal and noise in neural systems and its implications for neuroimaging.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of neuroscience, electrophysiology, and computational modeling.
• Analysis of functional neuroimaging debates on artifact removal and signal isolation.

Main Results:

• The difficulty in separating signal from noise has led to novel ideas about brain organization at micro- and macroscopic scales.
• Discussions in functional neuroimaging highlight the need to refine methods for isolating neuronal signals.

Conclusions:

• Insights from electrophysiology and computational modeling can enhance current theories and data analysis in human functional neuroimaging.
• Signal and noise may be fundamentally intertwined in brain function, requiring integrated approaches for study.