Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception

Paul P. Breen; Vaughan G. Macefield

doi:10.1109/NER.2013.6695923

Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception

Paul P. Breen, Vaughan G. Macefield

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Paper › Research › peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Loss of somatosensory function is detrimental to quality of life and is related to the loss of functional ability. Restoring sensitivity would have great potential in medicine. Previous work has demonstrated that the application of subsensory electrical noise can enhance sensitivity to a distal mechanical stimulus. In this paper we aimed to uncover the mechanism behind this enhancement. Two studies were performed, a microneurography study to investigate the effect of noise on action potential timing and a second psychophysics study to establish the effect of noise on sensory perception. We found that variance in action potential timing in response to a repetitive mechanical stimulus was reduced with an appropriate level of electrical noise. This phenomenon corresponds with an enhancement of sensory perception and reduced variability in a perceptual task.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 6th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER 2013
Publisher	IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pages	267-270
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Print)	9781467319690
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/NER.2013.6695923
Publication status	Published - 2013
Externally published	Yes
Event	International IEEE Engineering-in-Medicine-and-Biology-Society (EMBS) Conference on Neural Engineering (NER) 2013 - San Diego CA USA, San Diego, United States of America Duration: 6 Nov 2013 → 8 Nov 2013 Conference number: 6th

Publication series

Name	International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER
ISSN (Print)	1948-3546
ISSN (Electronic)	1948-3554

Conference

Conference	International IEEE Engineering-in-Medicine-and-Biology-Society (EMBS) Conference on Neural Engineering (NER) 2013
Abbreviated title	NER 2013
Country/Territory	United States of America
City	San Diego
Period	6/11/13 → 8/11/13

Access to Document

10.1109/NER.2013.6695923

Cite this

Breen, P. P., & Macefield, V. G. (2013). Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception. In Proceedings of the 6th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER 2013 (pp. 267-270). (International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER). IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/NER.2013.6695923

Breen, Paul P. ; Macefield, Vaughan G. / Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception. Proceedings of the 6th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER 2013. IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2013. pp. 267-270 (International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER).

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abstract = "Loss of somatosensory function is detrimental to quality of life and is related to the loss of functional ability. Restoring sensitivity would have great potential in medicine. Previous work has demonstrated that the application of subsensory electrical noise can enhance sensitivity to a distal mechanical stimulus. In this paper we aimed to uncover the mechanism behind this enhancement. Two studies were performed, a microneurography study to investigate the effect of noise on action potential timing and a second psychophysics study to establish the effect of noise on sensory perception. We found that variance in action potential timing in response to a repetitive mechanical stimulus was reduced with an appropriate level of electrical noise. This phenomenon corresponds with an enhancement of sensory perception and reduced variability in a perceptual task.",

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address = "United States of America",

note = "International IEEE Engineering-in-Medicine-and-Biology-Society (EMBS) Conference on Neural Engineering (NER) 2013, NER 2013 ; Conference date: 06-11-2013 Through 08-11-2013",

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Breen, PP & Macefield, VG 2013, Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception. in Proceedings of the 6th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER 2013. International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER, IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, pp. 267-270, International IEEE Engineering-in-Medicine-and-Biology-Society (EMBS) Conference on Neural Engineering (NER) 2013, San Diego, California, United States of America, 6/11/13. https://doi.org/10.1109/NER.2013.6695923

Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception. / Breen, Paul P.; Macefield, Vaughan G.
Proceedings of the 6th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER 2013. IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2013. p. 267-270 (International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Paper › Research › peer-review

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AB - Loss of somatosensory function is detrimental to quality of life and is related to the loss of functional ability. Restoring sensitivity would have great potential in medicine. Previous work has demonstrated that the application of subsensory electrical noise can enhance sensitivity to a distal mechanical stimulus. In this paper we aimed to uncover the mechanism behind this enhancement. Two studies were performed, a microneurography study to investigate the effect of noise on action potential timing and a second psychophysics study to establish the effect of noise on sensory perception. We found that variance in action potential timing in response to a repetitive mechanical stimulus was reduced with an appropriate level of electrical noise. This phenomenon corresponds with an enhancement of sensory perception and reduced variability in a perceptual task.

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Breen PP, Macefield VG. Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception. In Proceedings of the 6th International IEEE EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER 2013. IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 2013. p. 267-270. (International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering, NER). doi: 10.1109/NER.2013.6695923

Proximally applied subsensory electrical noise stimulation reduces variance in action potential timing and enhances sensory perception

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