Brain stem neuronal noise and neocortical “resonance”

We present a qualitative model and data in evidence for the selection and stabilization of neocortical brain-wave power spectral modes by slow periodic and fast noise driving by brain stem neurons. Unlike noise effects in a bistable potential, increasing noise amplitude via more brain stem neurons increases the measure on unstable manifolds trapped in the saddle-sinks of the neural membrane attractor andincreases dwell times. We suggest that the effect of noise in expanding dynamical systems such as the generalized neuronal membrane equations studied here may be analogous to that of many-frequency quasiperiodic driving which leads to the stabilization of the EEG as a strange, nonchaotic attractor.