Revealing neural resonance in neuronal ensembles through frequency response tests

Photobiomodulation emerges as a novel method to boost neuronal activities and brain function, with notable implications for treating brain disorders. Yet, the mechanisms and optimal frequency parameters of transcranial photobiomodulation are still unclear, which highlights a research gap in understanding how different stimulation frequencies affect neural responses. This study proposes a hypothesis that the nervous system exhibits resonance phenomena, suggesting that external stimuli near the system's resonant frequency trigger the strongest responses. We tested this by performing frequency response tests with pulsed transcranial near-infrared light (10-200 Hz) on mouse brains, monitoring neural responses across frequencies by analyzing cerebral blood flow, concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin, and neurophysiological activity in both cortical and deep brain regions. Our results reveal pronounced neural responses in cortical and deep brain areas at 60-80 Hz and 120-140 Hz, suggesting the potential existence of neural system resonance. Conceptually, the neural system appears to be modulatable by external stimuli, reaching maximal neural response when the stimulation frequency aligns with the system's resonant frequency, leading to neural resonance. These findings will expect to become guide new theoretical frameworks and strategies for neural modulation and therapeutic interventions.