具有特定频率的节律性刺激能同步大脑内相应频率的神经振荡,使神经活动与外界刺激发生相位锁定,称之为神经振荡-外界节律同步化（neural entrainment）.这种同步化的现象伴随着大脑内神经元集群兴奋水平的周期性波动,并与节律信息加工、知觉及注意等认知过程存在关联.得益于其非侵入、易操作以及能有效调控神经活动的特性,神经振荡-外界节律同步化成为了研究神经振荡与知觉和认知功能关系的有力手段,也为认知障碍诊断及干预提供了新的思路和方法.

Neural oscillations are intrinsically rhythmic. With rhythmic stimulation, the endogenous neural oscillations become phase-locked to the external rhythm, resulting in oscillatory and stimulus-dependent changes in neural excitability. This phenomenon, known as neural entrainment, serves as a non-invasive method to affect brain activity that mediates rhythmic information processing, perception, attention, and other related cognitive functions. Future studies on neural entrainment will delineate the functional role of neural oscillations in perception and cognition, and may contribute to the diagnosis and intervention of cognitive disorders.