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Brain dynamics shape cognition-Spatiotemporal Neuroscience
Georg Northoff1, Angelika Wolman2, Jianfeng Zhang2
1School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research associated with the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Physics of Life Reviews
|July 29, 2025
Summary
Brain dynamics, including neural variability and intrinsic neural timescales, shape cognition. Our Dynamic Layer Model of the Brain reveals how spontaneous and task-related activity connect, explaining temporal mechanisms in cognition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Spatiotemporal Neuroscience
Background:
- A gap exists between studying cognitive function during task activity and neural dynamics during resting states.
- The precise relationship between neural dynamics and cognitive functions remains unclear.
- Existing research often overlooks the influence of spontaneous brain activity on cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To bridge the divide between cognitive function and neural dynamics.
- To review how dynamic neural features influence cognitive functions.
- To propose a model explaining the connection between brain dynamics and cognition.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of dynamic features like neural variability and intrinsic neural timescales (INT).
- Expansion of analysis to include task-unspecific and spontaneous brain activity.
- Proposal and empirical/computational support for the Dynamic Layer Model of the Brain (DLB).
Main Results:
- Neural variability, INT, and scale-free dynamics link spontaneous, task-unspecific, and task-specific brain activity layers.
- Four temporal mechanisms (encoding, integration, scaffolding, segmentation) mediate how brain dynamics shape cognition.
- Brain dynamics in the background temporally shape cognitive functions in the foreground.
Conclusions:
- Neural dynamics are fundamental to cognitive processes, operating across multiple layers of brain activity.
- The Dynamic Layer Model provides a framework for understanding cognition through brain dynamics.
- Spatiotemporal Neuroscience offers a broader perspective than Cognitive Neuroscience by integrating intrinsic brain dynamics.
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