White Noise Improves Learning by Modulating Activity in Dopaminergic Midbrain Regions and Right Superior Temporal Sulcus

Abstract

In neural systems, information processing can be facilitated by adding an optimal level of white noise. Although this phenomenon, the so-called stochastic resonance, has traditionally been linked with perception, recent evidence indicates that white noise may also exert positive effects on cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. The underlying neural mechanisms, however, remain unclear. Here, on the basis of recent theories, we tested the hypothesis that auditory white noise, when presented during the encoding of scene images, enhances subsequent recognition memory performance and modulates activity within the dopaminergic midbrain (i.e., substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area, SN/VTA). Indeed, in a behavioral experiment, we can show in healthy humans that auditory white noise-but not control sounds, such as a sinus tone-slightly improves recognition memory. In an fMRI experiment, white noise selectively enhances stimulus-driven phasic activity in the SN/VTA and auditory cortex. Moreover, it induces stronger connectivity between SN/VTA and right STS, which, in addition, exhibited a positive correlation with subsequent memory improvement by white noise. Our results suggest that the beneficial effects of auditory white noise on learning depend on dopaminergic neuromodulation and enhanced connectivity between midbrain regions and the STS-a key player in attention modulation. Moreover, they indicate that white noise could be particularly useful to facilitate learning in conditions where changes of the mesolimbic system are causally related to memory deficits including healthy and pathological aging.

White noise enhances new-word learning in healthy adults

“…The following hypotheses were proposed. Firstly, consistent with reports that the beneficial effects of white noise may be mediated by dopaminergic circuitry 10 , together with the beneficial effect of dopamine on word learning 20 , it was predicted that word learning would be improved in white noise relative to silence. Secondly, it was predicted that any improvements to word learning in the presence of white noise would be related to attention, being larger in persons with lower executive control of attention.…”

“…Previous research has illustrated that white noise has the capacity to improve recognition memory 10 , the speed of arithmetic calculations 3 and the speed of perceptual judgements of scene images 11 in healthy adults (but see also below re null findings). The current results extend these findings, demonstrating that white noise can also boost the lexical acquisition of novel word forms in healthy adults.…”

“…Rausch et al . 10 demonstrated that the provision of white noise during the encoding of scene images resulted in mild improvements to subsequent recognition memory. More importantly, their analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data revealed that white noise decreased sustained activity and increased event-related activity within the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, and increased functional connectivity between those regions and the superior temporal sulcus.…”

Comparing Auditory Noise Treatment with Stimulant Medication on Cognitive Task Performance in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from a Pilot Study

“…As further support for the SR view a recent study showed neurophysiological effects on EEG/ERP of noise exposure during a GoNogo task where the P300 signal increased in the children that did benefit from noise (Baijot et al, 2016). Furthermore, a recent fMRI study found increased activity in dopaminergic areas of the brain in healthy adult controls exposed to noise during cognitive task performance (Rausch et al, 2014). Future research has to use brain-imaging techniques to investigate the mechanisms of noise benefit further.…”

Neurobiology and Stochastic Resonance: Going Deeper

“…In other words, in our model we are suggesting that the boosting that occurs for the signal (Simon) allows it to be sensed and communicated onward through the thalamus (the wall) to the limbic (Lilly) and neocortical (Neo) areas by the facilitatory effects of DAS/BLS (the boxes), which create the AIP equivalent of "white noise" at the thalamic level. One research group has proposed that in both age-related states and brain disorders that feature memory deficits linked to abnormal functioning in the mesolimbic region, this "white noise" may facilitate learning through the restoration of functioning in the mesolimbic system (Rausch, Bauch, & Bunzeck, 2014).…”