When does sensory entrainment exceed evoked responses?

Determine the empirical conditions and diagnostic signatures under which stimulus–brain coupling reflects synchronization of endogenous neural oscillators (sensory entrainment) rather than merely stimulus-evoked responses, across periodic and quasi-periodic sensory stimulation paradigms (e.g., auditory speech and music, visual rhythms).

Background

Sensory entrainment is widely hypothesized to occur when neural oscillators synchronize to rhythmic external input. However, periodic stimulation also elicits evoked responses, making it challenging to distinguish genuine entrainment from stimulus-driven activity in EEG/MEG. This ambiguity affects interpretations of findings in domains such as speech and music and has implications for applications like brain–computer interfaces and rhythmic therapeutic interventions.

Clarifying criteria that decisively indicate involvement of endogenous oscillators—beyond mere tracking of stimulus dynamics—would refine methodologies and theoretical models and resolve current interpretational debates.