The neuron doctrine is an insult to neurons

Journal/Book: Behav Brain Sci. 1999; 22: 40 West 20Th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA. Cambridge Univ Press. 838+.

Abstract: As presently implemented, the neuron doctrine (ND) portrays the brain's neurons and chemical synapses as fundamental components in a computer-like switching circuit, supporting a view of brain = mind = computer. However, close examination reveals individual neurons to be far more complex than simple switches, with enormous capacity for intracellular information processing (e.g., in the internal cytoskeleton). Other poorly appreciated factors (gap junctions, apparent randomness, dendritic-dendritic processing, possible quantum computation, the living state) also suggest that the ND grossly oversimplifies neuronal functions. In the quest to understand consciousness, the presently implemented ND may throw out the baby with the bath water.

Note: Editorial Hameroff S, Univ Arizona, Dept Anesthesiol, Tucson,AZ 85724 USA

Keyword(s): BRAIN MICROTUBULES; CONSCIOUSNESS; MODEL

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