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Opinion: Neuroscience needs a revolution

May 11th, 2023
Neuroscience needs a revolution
First part of a proposed spatiotemporal hierarchy in which Orch OR-mediated consciousness can occur, starting here inward from the level of neurons: From left to right, a cortical pyramidal neuron showing internal networks of mixed polarity microtubules, a network of mixed polarity microtubules, a single microtubule, a row of tubulins within a microtubule with schematic display of collective dipoles among pi electron resonance rings. Below—frequency dynamics at relevant scales. Credit: Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.869935

The underlying premise in neuroscience is that the brain is a complex computer of simple neurons, each relying solely on membrane potentials and synaptic transmissions (based on the 1950s Hodgkin-Huxley model neuron).

But neuroscience can't account for consciousness, cognitive binding, real-time conscious action or memory, nor treat Alzheimer's or brain trauma, and totally precludes the plausibility and consideration of frequently-reported non-local aspects of consciousness. The underlying premise of simple neurons is wrong, and is an absolute insult to actual neurons.

Single cell organisms behave purposefully using their cytoskeletal microtubules to sense and navigate. Microtubules (MTs) are self-assembling cylindrical polymers of "tubulin" protein which in neurons organize synapses, encode memory and process information (tubulin is the brain's most prevalent protein). Evidence now suggests psychedelics, antidepressants and anesthetics act on microtubules inside neurons, rather than—or in addition to—membrane receptors and ion channels.

Whereas neuronal membranes and channels operate in frequencies in hertz to 102 hertz (cycles per second), microtubules and tubulins collectively resonate inside neurons at deeper, faster scales over 12 orders of magnitude in fractal-like patterns in hertz, kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz and terahertz ranges (as shown by Anirban Bandyopadhyay group at NIMS in Japan). Like notes and chords resonate in music, quantum vibrations and state reductions can entangle and interfere across frequencies in the brain—a "quantum orchestra."

The Penrose-Hameroff "Orch OR" theory suggests brain microtubules "orchestrate" quantum state objective reductions ("OR") into full rich conscious experience. Mainstream "neuroscientific" consciousness theories (IIT, GNW, HoT, PC/RP) use membrane-only simple neurons (emulated in AI) which may be suitable only for non-conscious algorithmic functions—"zombie neurons." To find consciousness, and treat mental and cognitive disorders, neuroscience must look inward to deeper, faster quantum processes in microtubules inside brain neurons.

Related research is published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.

More information:
Stuart Hameroff, Consciousness, Cognition and the Neuronal Cytoskeleton—A New Paradigm Needed in Neuroscience, Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.869935

Provided by University of Arizona

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