Groundbreaking study unveils how the brain processes sensory information
A team of researchers from Mexico's Instituto de Fisiologia and Colegio National and the University of Liège have uncovered pivotal insights into how the brain processes sensory information and forms perception. Utilizing electrophysiological recordings from the second somatosensory cortex (S2), alongside sophisticated mathematical analysis and modeling, the team has revealed S2’s critical role in the perception of touch.
T
he study identified two distinct types of signals in S2 neurons: one representing raw, unprocessed sensory information, and the other encoding abstract properties of the sensory stimulus. This dual signaling mechanism allows the brain to interpret, describe, and classify sensory stimuli without disruptive interference. The team discovered a novel mechanism enabling this coexistence using multi-neuron representations within orthogonal subspaces in S2. This innovative finding highlights the brain’s ability to switch these representations on or off based on contextual needs, shedding light on the neural foundations of conscious perception.
“This discovery illuminates the sophisticated neural processes that underlie our ability to perceive the world, says Alessio Franci, WEL-T researcher at the ULiège Neuromorphic Engineering lab from and co-author of the paper published in PNAS. Understanding how unprocessed and processed sensory signals coexist and are regulated in the brain offers new perspectives on both biological and artificial neural systems.”
The implications of these findings are vast. On the biological front, the results offer potential new tools for exploring and characterizing attention-related disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). On the engineering side, the insights gained from this study could revolutionize the design of intelligent sensing devices. By mimicking the brain’s efficient sensory data processing, these devices could perform real-time data analysis directly at the sensor, significantly reducing energy consumption and the need for extensive data transfer to cloud servers.
ULiège’s contribution to the mathematical analysis and modeling was instrumental in uncovering these mechanisms. Advanced dimensionality reduction techniques allowed researchers to discern the rich geometric structures within neural data, leading to the concept of orthogonal subspace representations. Simplified mathematical models provided a framework for understanding how these complex neural representations arise, bridging the gap between biological neural behaviors and engineered systems.
“This interdisciplinary exchange between neuroscience and brain-inspired engineering is crucial,” says Alessio Franci “Our mathematical models not only uncover biological mechanisms for adaptive perception but also pave the way for their implementation in artificial systems, enhancing their adaptability, efficiency, and sustainability.”
As the Neuroengineering Lab of ULiège continues to explore these pathways, the potential for real-world applications grows. From advancing intelligent sensors for biomedical and environmental applications to improving the adaptability of engineered systems, the study’s findings promise a future where technology seamlessly integrates with biological efficiency.
This research marks a significant milestone in understanding the brain’s intricate processing capabilities and sets the stage for innovations that could transform both medical and engineering fields.
Scientific reference
Lucas Bayones, Antonio Zainos, Manuel Alvarez, Ranulfo Romo, Alessio Franci and Román Rossi-Poola,Orthogonality of sensory and contextual categorical dynamics embedded in a continuum of responses from the second somatosensory cortex, PNAS, July 11, 2024. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2316765121
