How does the brain resist change amidst an unpredictable environment?
Stability is maintained by the connections your neurons make with one another. These connections will always exhibit the same electrical activity, regardless of whether these neurons are interrupted by unpredictable external sensory stimuli. In other words, these neurons can have different starting conditions, but will always end up firing the same response or electrical pattern.
A recent article published by Technology Networks explains how a new study by MIT neuroscientists has created a mathematical model showing how such stability inherently arises from the brain’s biological mechanisms. To summarize, the model uses equations that showcase how neurons, despite receiving different inputs at the same time, will all converge into one trajectory that will ultimately lead to the same output response, regardless of anomalies in the form of external stimuli.
This model can also inform aberrant connectivity patterns as a result of diseases and disorders. A lack of stability within neurons can lead to various motor impairments, therefore, the model might be able to broaden our understanding of the deficits in these brain states, allowing for the mitigation of these diseases.
For a more in-depth explanation of the mathematical model, click here for the link to the article.
Illustration credits to Cun Shi: http://www.cunshiart.com/