Question

I read that the frequency of signal over neural ion channels in the brain can range from .19 Hz - 30 Hz at low voltage. For an interference example, AC electricity is 60 Hz at high voltage and generates an electrical field. From cited research below, it appears neural activity is impacted by EMR/RFI. Question: does the brain have some process it uses to reduce this interference? Forward error correction?

Answer 1

The brain does not possess an active system like forward error correction to deal with electromagnetic interference but relies on physical shielding from the skull and robustness of neural networks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The human brain is indeed affected by electromagnetic fields, such as those from AC power lines with a frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. The brain operates at significantly lower frequencies (0.19 Hz to 30 Hz) which can be in a similar range to ELF waves (3 Hz to 3 kHz) that penetrate materials like sea water for communications. In order to reduce interference, the brain relies on the skull and other tissues to provide a level of shielding. However, the brain does not have a mechanism comparable to electronic forward error correction to deal with electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Researchers use technologies like transcranial magnetic stimulation to influence brain activity, which highlights that external electromagnetic fields can have an effect on neural functioning. Nevertheless, the brain does not possess an active filtering system specifically for EMI. Instead, the robustness of neural networks and the redundancy of neural connections help the brain maintain its functionality amidst potential interference.