🚀 go-pugleaf

HARRY R. ERWIN (herwin@mason1.gmu.edu) wrote:
: I have questions in my mind about the currently popular research into
: quantum non-locality in neural systems. However, I do know of mechanisms
: by which a few synapses with patterned releases of neurotransmitter can
: control the dynamics of a dendrite (Barlett Mel's work), a couple of basal
: dendrites can cooperate to control the dynamics of a neuron (preliminary
: modeling work), and perhaps 500 principle cells in a nerve cell assembly
: can control the spiking of 10,000-40,000 neurons. These seem to involve
: (at least in the latter two cases) stochastic resonance in an actively
: tuned system. Once at the level of 10,000-40,000 neurons, the next few
: stages up (leading to the entire brain) are currently the subject of
: active research. So it seems the turtles do extend down to the synapse. 
: Has there been any study of structured dynamics within the synapse? 


I've not run across too much above the single neuron level.
Most of what I've seen has been in conjunction with microtubules, and so is
primarily intraneurolnal. (No particular reason it should be I suppose
except unwillingness to stick a neck or two out on it yet.) These particular
discussions tend to end at the synapse.

Functionally, the discussion could be interneuronal, since it would deal
more with the activity going on at the time, and hence the particular piece
of processing at hand. And as someone (Earl Miller?) pointed out, the result
of a visual image can be carried by a single neuron, heading back north from
the visual cortex. That result was somewhat suprising, contrasted with the
fact that you expect most things to be carried by many. 

Perhaps there's something which can help root out the effect if it is
strictly intraneuronal by focusing on the visual system mentioned.

BTW, I've completed my application to Radford. That conference was too much
fun. And it's such a nice place. I'm going to try to work with Karl.

--
dynasor@infi.net                                       The Doctor is on.