Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams

Abstract The brain excels at processing sensory input, even in rich or chaotic environments. Mounting evidence attributes this to sophisticated internal models of the environment that draw on statistical structures in the unfolding sensory input. Understanding how and where such modeling proceeds is...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Julian Fuhrer, Kyrre Glette, Jugoslav Ivanovic, Pål Gunnar Larsson, Tristan Bekinschtein, Silvia Kochen, Robert T. Knight, Jim Tørresen, Anne-Kristin Solbakk, Tor Endestad, Alejandro Blenkmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98865-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850042988140429312
author Julian Fuhrer
Kyrre Glette
Jugoslav Ivanovic
Pål Gunnar Larsson
Tristan Bekinschtein
Silvia Kochen
Robert T. Knight
Jim Tørresen
Anne-Kristin Solbakk
Tor Endestad
Alejandro Blenkmann
author_facet Julian Fuhrer
Kyrre Glette
Jugoslav Ivanovic
Pål Gunnar Larsson
Tristan Bekinschtein
Silvia Kochen
Robert T. Knight
Jim Tørresen
Anne-Kristin Solbakk
Tor Endestad
Alejandro Blenkmann
author_sort Julian Fuhrer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The brain excels at processing sensory input, even in rich or chaotic environments. Mounting evidence attributes this to sophisticated internal models of the environment that draw on statistical structures in the unfolding sensory input. Understanding how and where such modeling proceeds is a core question in statistical learning and predictive processing. In this context, we address the role of transitional probabilities as an implicit structure supporting the encoding of the temporal structure of a random auditory stream. Leveraging information-theoretical principles and the high spatiotemporal resolution of intracranial electroencephalography, we analyzed the trial-by-trial high-frequency activity representation of transitional probabilities. This unique approach enabled us to demonstrate how the brain automatically and continuously encodes structure in random stimuli and revealed the involvement of a network outside of the auditory system, including hippocampal, frontal, and temporal regions. Our work provides a comprehensive picture of the neural correlates of automatic encoding of implicit structure that can be the crucial substrate for the swift detection of patterns and unexpected events in the environment.
format Article
id doaj-art-e4c157fe717b4b6097d7aa3dbc258052
institution DOAJ
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-e4c157fe717b4b6097d7aa3dbc2580522025-08-20T02:55:21ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-98865-5Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streamsJulian Fuhrer0Kyrre Glette1Jugoslav Ivanovic2Pål Gunnar Larsson3Tristan Bekinschtein4Silvia Kochen5Robert T. Knight6Jim Tørresen7Anne-Kristin Solbakk8Tor Endestad9Alejandro Blenkmann10RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of OsloRITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of OsloDepartment of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, RikshospitaletDepartment of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, RikshospitaletCambridge Consciousness and Cognition Lab, Department of Psychology, University of CambridgeENyS-CONICET-Univ JauretcheHelen Wills Neuroscience Institute and Department of Psychology, University of CaliforniaRITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of OsloRITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of OsloRITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of OsloRITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of OsloAbstract The brain excels at processing sensory input, even in rich or chaotic environments. Mounting evidence attributes this to sophisticated internal models of the environment that draw on statistical structures in the unfolding sensory input. Understanding how and where such modeling proceeds is a core question in statistical learning and predictive processing. In this context, we address the role of transitional probabilities as an implicit structure supporting the encoding of the temporal structure of a random auditory stream. Leveraging information-theoretical principles and the high spatiotemporal resolution of intracranial electroencephalography, we analyzed the trial-by-trial high-frequency activity representation of transitional probabilities. This unique approach enabled us to demonstrate how the brain automatically and continuously encodes structure in random stimuli and revealed the involvement of a network outside of the auditory system, including hippocampal, frontal, and temporal regions. Our work provides a comprehensive picture of the neural correlates of automatic encoding of implicit structure that can be the crucial substrate for the swift detection of patterns and unexpected events in the environment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98865-5Statistical learningPattern detectionPredictive codingHigh-frequency activityMMN
spellingShingle Julian Fuhrer
Kyrre Glette
Jugoslav Ivanovic
Pål Gunnar Larsson
Tristan Bekinschtein
Silvia Kochen
Robert T. Knight
Jim Tørresen
Anne-Kristin Solbakk
Tor Endestad
Alejandro Blenkmann
Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams
Scientific Reports
Statistical learning
Pattern detection
Predictive coding
High-frequency activity
MMN
title Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams
title_full Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams
title_fullStr Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams
title_full_unstemmed Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams
title_short Direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams
title_sort direct brain recordings reveal implicit encoding of structure in random auditory streams
topic Statistical learning
Pattern detection
Predictive coding
High-frequency activity
MMN
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98865-5
work_keys_str_mv AT julianfuhrer directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT kyrreglette directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT jugoslavivanovic directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT palgunnarlarsson directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT tristanbekinschtein directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT silviakochen directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT roberttknight directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT jimtørresen directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT annekristinsolbakk directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT torendestad directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams
AT alejandroblenkmann directbrainrecordingsrevealimplicitencodingofstructureinrandomauditorystreams