Stochastic resonance in feedforward acupuncture networks

•We studied weak signal propagation in acupuncture FFN, which is helpful for studying the mechanism of signal propagation.•Noise with medium intensity can enhance signal propagation, and this effect can be further increased by the FFN structure.•It may provide a novel explanation for acupuncture signal propagation, which has potential biological significance.

Effects of noises and some other network properties on the weak signal propagation are studied systematically in feedforward acupuncture networks (FFN) based on FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron model. It is found that noises with medium intensity can enhance signal propagation and this effect can be further increased by the feedforward network structure. Resonant properties in the noisy network can also be altered by several network parameters, such as heterogeneity, synapse features, and feedback connections. These results may also provide a novel potential explanation for the propagation of acupuncture signal.