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J Neurophysiol 94: 928-933, 2005. First published March 23, 2005; doi:10.1152/jn.00232.2005
0022-3077/05 $8.00
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TRANSLATIONAL PHYSIOLOGY

Fully Tuneable Stochastic Resonance in Cutaneous Receptors

James B. Fallon1,2 and David L. Morgan1

1Departments of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering and 2Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Submitted 3 March 2005; accepted in final form 16 March 2005

Stochastic resonance describes a phenomenon whereby the addition of "noise" to the input of a nonlinear system can improve sensitivity. "Fully tuneable stochastic resonance" is a particular form of the phenomenon that requires the matching of two time scales: one being that of the subthreshold periodic stimulus of the system and the other being the noise-induced response of the system. First proposed in 1981, stochastic resonance has been reported in a wide range of biological systems; however, conclusive experimental evidence for fully tuneable stochastic resonance in biological systems is limited. Evidence of fully tuneable stochastic resonance in the response of slowly adapting type I mechanoreceptors in the toad is presented. The results are extended to include the first evidence supporting fully tuneable stochastic resonance in psychophysical experiments, namely tactile detection thresholds, indicating that the human CNS is capable of accessing the improved information available via fully tuneable stochastic resonance.

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: J. B. Fallon, Bionic Ear Inst., Dept. of Otolaryngology, 2nd Floor, 32 Gisborne St., East Melbourne, 3002 Victoria, Australia (E-mail: James.Fallon{at}ieee.org)






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