Coherent resonance in the distributed cortical network during sensory information processing

Abstract Neuronal brain network is a distributed computing system, whose architecture is dynamically adjusted to provide optimal performance of sensory processing. A small amount of visual information needed effortlessly be processed, activates neural activity in occipital and parietal areas. Conversely, a visual task which requires sustained attention to process a large amount of sensory information, involves a set of long-distance connections between parietal and frontal areas coordinating the activity of these distant brain regions. We demonstrate that while neural interactions result in coherence, the strongest connection is achieved through coherence resonance induced by adjusting intrinsic brain noise.