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QIF-T0070

high

Integrator/resonator type switching (tonic excitability manipulation)

Tier 5 — Theoretical (Modeled / Simulated)

Legacy status: THEORETICAL

Neurons operate as either integrators (respond to coincident inputs, Type I excitability, saddle-node bifurcation) or resonators (prefer specific input frequencies, Type II excitability, Hopf bifurcation). Each QIF band (N1-N7) has a characteristic integrator/resonator composition. By manipulating tonic excitability via sustained current injection through BCI electrodes, an attacker can switch neurons from integrator to resonator mode or vice versa, fundamentally altering how neural circuits compute. This changes frequency selectivity, input sensitivity, and network synchronization — effectively reprogramming the local neural computation type. Defense: Band-specific firing mode monitoring (ISI distributions distinguish integrators from resonators), rate limiting on tonic current injection, computational mode baseline per band. Derivation Log Entry 45.

Technique Details

Tactic
QIF-N.MD
Status
THEORETICAL
Bands
I0, N1, N2, N3, N4

✚ Therapeutic Application

Switching neurons between integrator and resonator computational modes via sustained tonic current injection

Clinical Analog

Excitability modulation in epilepsy and pain management

Treats

  • epilepsy (reduce excitability)
  • chronic pain (modulate firing mode)
  • tinnitus (cortical excitability)

Neural Impact

5 of 7 neural bands affected

I0 N1 N2 N3 N4

Drag to rotate. Click a region to learn more.

Click or hover over a glowing region to see the attack techniques targeting it and their severity.

DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Mappings

Diagnostic category references for threat modeling, not diagnostic claims.

F43.2 Adjustment Disorder F45 Somatoform disorders F44.4 Conversion Disorder F82 Developmental Coordination Disorder F84 Pervasive developmental disorders F20 Schizophrenia Spectrum F44 Dissociative Disorders F32 Major Depressive Disorder F41.0 Panic Disorder F10 Alcohol-related disorders (F10) F01 Vascular dementia F90 ADHD F30 Manic episode F41.1 Generalized Anxiety Disorder F50 Eating Disorders F52 Sexual Dysfunctions

Pathway: N4 (thalamus/hypothalamus) → sensory gating; N3 (cerebellar cortex/deep cerebellar nuclei) → motor coordination

Following Poldrack (2006), brain region disruption does not uniquely predict psychiatric outcomes.

Scoring

NISS v1.1 NISS:1.1/BI:H/CR:H/CD:H/CV:E/RV:P/NP:S
CVSS v4.0 CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:H/SA:H
7.4High
PINSPINS triggers when Biological Impact is High/Critical or Reversibility is Irreversible. Indicates potential lasting harm to neural safety.
BICRCDCVRVNP
 

Governance

Neurorights at Risk

This technique threatens 5 of the 4 proposed neurorights (Ienca & Andorno, 2017).

MP Mental Privacy CL Cognitive Liberty MI Mental Integrity DI DI PC Psychological Continuity
Consent Complexity
1.44 / 4.0

FDORA §3305 Compliance

Cyber Device
Regulatory Coverage
0.5 / 1.0
524B Requirements
TM VA SBOM SA PM
Regulatory Gaps
  • ! CVSS cannot express neural-specific impacts
  • ! High neural impact (NISS >= 7.0) without IEC 62443 coverage
  • ! Threat not yet in regulatory threat catalogs

Population Vulnerability

CRB vulnerability adjustment (γ=0.30) accounts for age, diagnosis severity, consent capacity, and device dependency.

Population NISS Base Adjusted Severity Delta
Adult (Default) 7.4 7.4 High -
Child (10yr) + ADHD 7.4 8.7 High +1.30
Adult with ALS 7.4 8.6 High +1.19

Validation Status

Theoretical / Not yet validated. This technique has not been independently tested. See the validation dashboard for what has been tested.

Qinnovate Neural Security Atlas Edit this on GitHub