Knowledge Tree
neuronal assembly
Also known as: coherent neuronal assemblies
Facts (28)
Sources
Quantum Approaches to Consciousness plato.stanford.edu Nov 30, 2004 14 facts
claimA neural correlate of a mental representation is activated when the neurons forming the assembly operate more actively, such as producing higher firing rates, than in their default mode.
referenceKuhn et al. (2004) established that a non-monotonic transfer function with a maximal output at intermediate input is significant for the modeling of neuronal assemblies.
claimHans Flohr (2000) proposes that the specific plasticity of NMDA receptors is a necessary condition for the formation of extended stable neuronal assemblies, which he identifies with conscious states.
claimThe approach initiated by Hiroomi Umezawa uses quantum field theory to describe the emergence of classical activity in neuronal assemblies through symmetry breaking, offering a more sophisticated framework than standard quantum mechanics.
claimFriedrich Beck (2001) suggested that quantum stochastic resonance is a possibility for achieving ordered patterns at the level of neuronal assemblies from fundamentally random synaptic processes, though this remains an unsolved problem.
claimIn the neurophysiological implementation of Henry Stapp's theory, intentional mental states are assumed to correspond to the reduction of superposition states within neuronal assemblies.
referenceFamiliar models of neuronal assemblies, such as those reviewed by Anderson and Rosenfeld (1988), are mostly formulated without invoking well-defined elements of quantum theory, with the exception of the approach by Umezawa, Vitiello, and others.
claimThe approach by Beck and Eccles applies standard quantum mechanics to the process of exocytosis, but it does not solve the problem of how the activity of single synapses enters the dynamics of neural assemblies, and it leaves mental causation of quantum processes as a mere claim.
referenceIn the proposal by Umezawa, dynamically ordered states represent coherent activity in neuronal assemblies, where the activation of a neuronal assembly is necessary to make encoded content consciously accessible.
claimThe neural correlate of a mental representation is characterized by connectivities or couplings among neurons that form an assembly confined with respect to its environment, where connectivities are weaker than within the assembly.
claimNeuronal assemblies are difficult to stabilize if the transfer function of individual neurons is strictly monotonic, meaning increasing input leads to increasing output.
claimHenry Stapp argues that mental effort, specifically attention directed toward intentional acts, can extend the lifetime of the neuronal assemblies representing templates for action through quantum Zeno-type effects.
claimAccording to standard neurophysiological accounts, mental representations are correlated with the activity of neuronal assemblies, which are ensembles of several thousands of coupled neurons.
referenceAccording to Umezawa, coherent neuronal assemblies correlated to memory states are regarded as vacuum states, and their activation leads to excited states with a finite lifetime, enabling conscious recollection of the content encoded in the vacuum state.
Quantum Approaches to Consciousness plato.stanford.edu Nov 30, 2004 7 facts
claimStuart et al. (1978, 1979) investigated the stability of vacuum states and the role of external stimuli in the activation of neuronal assemblies.
claimStable operation of an activated neuronal assembly requires a subtle balance between inhibitory and excitatory connections among neurons.
claimA neuronal assembly representing a mental state is activated when its constituent neurons operate more actively, such as by producing higher firing rates, compared to their default mode.
claimBeck (2001) suggested that quantum stochastic resonance is a possibility for achieving ordered patterns at the level of neuronal assemblies from fundamentally random synaptic processes.
claimUmezawa proposed that dynamically ordered states in quantum field theory represent coherent activity in neuronal assemblies, which is necessary to make encoded content consciously accessible.
claimIn Henry Stapp's model, intentional mental states correspond to reductions of superposition states of neuronal assemblies.
claimUmezawa’s proposal treats the brain as a many-particle system where the particles are neurons, operating at the level of neuronal assemblies that correlate directly with mental activity.
Quantum Approaches to Consciousness plato.stanford.edu Nov 30, 2004 5 facts
claimMost familiar models of neuronal assemblies do not invoke well-defined elements of quantum theory, with the notable exception of the approach proposed by Umezawa, Vitiello, and others.
claimA neuronal assembly is considered 'activated' when the constituent neurons operate more actively, such as by producing higher firing rates, than they do in their default mode.
claimThe quantum consciousness approach by Friedrich Beck and John Eccles fails to explain how the activity of single synapses influences the dynamics of neural assemblies and leaves the mental causation of quantum processes as an unproven claim.
claimResearch establishing a non-monotonic transfer function, where maximal output occurs at intermediate input, is significant for modeling neuronal assemblies.
claimA neuronal assembly is characterized by internal connectivities that are stronger than the connectivities between the assembly and its external environment.
Understanding LLM Understanding skywritingspress.ca Jun 14, 2024 1 fact
claimAdding verbal labels to concrete concepts in neural networks augments the neural assemblies, increasing their robustness and ease of activation.
The New Field of Network Physiology: Building the Human ... frontiersin.org 1 fact
referenceThe journal Frontiers in Network Physiology covers the study of information flow on network topology in relation to cellular and neuronal assemblies and the autonomic control of organ systems.