Can ‘Random Noise’ Enable Us to Learn More?

Even while many of us prefer a calm environment for our studies, certain people may benefit greatly from ‘noise’ in this regard. Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) has been studied by Edith Cowan University in a variety of contexts and has shown promise for a wide range of uses.

What is Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation?

Despite its name, tRNS doesn’t make use of noise in the conventional sense of the word. Instead, it observes electrodes fastened to the skull to allow a weak current to travel across regions of the brain. According to Dr Onno van der Groen, the study’s principal investigator, tRNS offers potential as a tool to help those with learning disabilities.

“The effect on learning is promising- it can speed up learning and help people with neurological conditions. So, people with learning difficulties can use it to enhance their learning rate, for example. It’s also been trialled on people with visual deficits, such as after stroke and traumatic brain injury. When you add this type of stimulation during learning, you get better performance, faster learning and better attention afterwards as well,” said Dr van der Groen.

According to Dr van der Groen, tRNS functions by neuroplasticity- a process wherein the brain creates new connections and pathways. “If you learn something, there must be neuroplastic changes in your brain, which allow you to learn this information. And this is a tool to enhance this neuroplasticity,” he said.

Dr van der Groen suggested that tRNS has two different effects on the brain: the ‘acute’ effect, which improves performance while receiving tRNS, and the modulating effect, which has long-lasting consequences. “If you do 10 sessions of a visual perception task with the tRNS and then come back and do it again without it, you’ll find you perform better than the control group who hasn’t used it,” he said.

Many questions are raised by the concept of increasing one’s learning potential via technology like tRNS. It raises the question of whether a neurotypical person may advance their intelligence to new heights, comparable to the idea in the film ‘Limitless’, even though it is primarily relevant to individuals with inadequacies and learning difficulties.

According to Dr. van der Groen, there is potential, but there are also indications that it won't provide a ‘new level’ of intelligence. “The question is, if you’re neurotypical, are you already performing at your peak,” he said. “There’s a case study where they tried to enhance the mathematical skills of a super mathematician; with him, it didn’t have much of an impact on his performance, presumably because he is already a top performer in that area. But it could be used if you’re learning something new.”

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Real-Life Applications of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation

Dr. van der Groen said there was a lot of potential for a variety of applications even though the technology is still in its infancy and people can only access tRNS by enrolling in controlled trials. “The concept is relatively simple,” he said. “It’s like a battery: the current runs from plus to minus, but it goes through your head as well. We’re working on a study where we send the equipment to people, and they apply everything themselves remotely. So, in that regard, it’s quite easy to use.”

Researchers from across the world are also looking at how tRNS affects perception, working memory, sensory processing and other facets of behaviour. This is because the technology has the potential to cure several clinical disorders.

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“We’re still trying to find out how best we can use it,” said Dr van der Groen.

Source-Medindia