Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience最新文献

McFadden's conscious electromagnetic information (CEMI) field theory proposes that the human brain functions as a hybrid digital-EM field computer. The digital computations are implemented by the matter-based neuronal-synaptic network analogous to conventional digital computers operating Boolean-like logic gates nonconsciously and in parallel. Yet neuronal electrical firing and synaptic transmission generate the brain's immaterial but equally physical endogenous electromagnetic (EM) input into the brain's CEMI field. The CEMI field is proposed to implement analogue information processing through constructive and destructive wave mechanical interference. The output of this field-based processing is uploaded by EM field-sensitive neurons via voltage-gated ion channels to generate conscious actions. According to the theory, non-conscious brain processing occurs solely within the EM field-insensitive digital neuronal network, enabling fast, parallel computations, but cannot form complex, integrated concepts, so it is limited to specialised functions necessary for tasks like motor coordination. In contrast, conscious thought arises from EM field interactions, where integrated information is encoded and processed holistically to deliver general intelligence and creativity as its output. Because the brain's EM field is singular, conscious processing occurs serially, allowing our mind to hold only one thought at a time. This paper proposes a route towards developing novel hybrid computers that, like the human brain, similarly operate both modes of computation to deliver general intelligent and potentially conscious AI.

This perspective piece presents the concept of the role and mechanisms of cells' electromagnetic communication. These data deepen the scientific understanding of the fundamental aspects of the phenomenon of human life. A promising model of biophoton signaling as a scientific tool for further developing of biophotonics of the human body is substantiated.

Multisensory information is combined across the cortex and assimilated into the continuous production of ongoing behavior. In the hippocampus, theta oscillations (4-12 Hz) radiate as large-scale traveling waves, and serve as a scaffold for neuronal ensembles of multisensory information involved in memory and movement-related processing. An extension of such an encoding framework across the neocortex could similarly serve to bind disparate multisensory signals into ongoing, coherent, phase-coded processes. Whether the neocortex exhibits unique large-scale traveling waves distinct from that of the hippocampus, however, remains unknown. Here, using cortex-wide electrocorticography in freely moving mice, we find that theta oscillations are organized into bilaterally-symmetric spatiotemporal "modes" that span virtually the entire neocortex. The dominant mode (Mode 1) is a divergent traveling wave that originates from retrosplenial cortex and whose amplitude correlates with mouse speed. Secondary modes are asynchronous spiral waves centered over primary somatosensory cortex (Modes 2 and 3), which become prominent during rapid drops in amplitude and synchrony (null spikes) and which underlie a phase reset of Mode 1. These structured cortex-wide traveling waves may provide a scaffold for large-scale phase-coding of information across the cortex.

The brain criticality hypothesis has been a central research topic in theoretical neuroscience for two decades. This hypothesis suggests that the brain operates near the critical point at the boundary between order and disorder, where it acquires its information-processing capabilities. The mechanism that maintains this critical state has been proposed as a feedback system known as self-organized criticality (SOC); brain parameters, such as synaptic plasticity, are regulated internally without external adjustment. Therefore, clarifying how SOC occurs may provide insights into the mechanisms that maintain brain function and cause brain disorders. From the standpoint of neural network structures, the topology of neural circuits also plays a crucial role in information processing, with healthy neural networks exhibiting small world, scale-free, and modular characteristics. However, how these network structures affect SOC remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted numerical simulations using a simplified neural network model to investigate how network structure may influence SOC. Our results reveal that the time scales at which synaptic plasticity operates to achieve a critical state differ depending on the network structure. Additionally, we observed Dragon king phenomena associated with abnormal neural activity, depending on the network structure and synaptic plasticity time scales. Notably, Dragon king was observed over a wide range of synaptic plasticity time scales in scale-free networks with high-degree hub nodes. These findings highlight the potential importance of neural network topology in shaping SOC dynamics in simplified models of neural systems.

Nanoscale motility of cells is a fundamental phenomenon, closely associated with biological status and response to environmental solicitations, whose investigation has disclosed new perspectives for the comprehension of cell behavior and fate. To investigate intracellular interactions, we designed an experiment to monitor movements of clusters of neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) growing on a nanomechanical oscillator (nanomotion sensor) suspended few hundreds of microns over the surface of a Petri dish where other neuroblastoma cells are freely moving. We observed that the free-to-move cells feel the presence of cells on the nearby nanosensor (at a distance of up to 300 microns) and migrate toward them, even in presence of environmental hampering factors, such as medium microflows. The interaction is bidirectional since, as evidenced by nanomotion sensing, the cells on the sensor enhance their motion when clusters of freely moving cells approach. Considering the geometry and environmental context, our observations extend beyond what can be explained by sensing of chemical trackers, suggesting the presence of other physical mechanisms. We hypothesize that the acoustic field generated by cell vibrations can have a role in the initial recognition between distant clusters. Integrating our findings with a suitable wave propagation model, we show that mechanical waves produced by cellular activity have sufficient energy to trigger mechanotransduction in target cells hundreds of microns away. This interaction can explain the observed distance-dependent patterns of cellular migration and motion alteration. Our results suggest that acoustic fields generated by cells can mediate cell-cell interaction and contribute to signaling and communication.

As users transition from drivers to passengers in automated vehicles, they often take their eyes off the road to engage in non-driving activities. In driving simulators, visual motion is presented with scaled or without physical motion, leading to a mismatch between expected and perceived motion. Both conditions elicit motion sickness, calling for enhanced vehicle and simulator motion control strategies. Given the large differences in sickness susceptibility between individuals, effective countermeasures must address this at a personal level. This paper combines a group-averaged sensory conflict model with an individualized Accumulation Model (AM) to capture individual differences in motion sickness susceptibility across various conditions. The feasibility of this framework is verified using three datasets involving sickening conditions: (1) vehicle experiments with and without outside vision, (2) corresponding vehicle and driving simulator experiments, and (3) vehicle experiments with various non-driving-related tasks. All datasets involve passive motion, mirroring experience in automated vehicles. The preferred model (AM2) can fit individual motion sickness responses across conditions using only two individualized parameters (gain K ₁ and time constant T ₁) instead of the original five, ensuring unique parameters for each participant and generalisability across conditions. An average improvement factor of 1.7 in fitting individual motion sickness responses is achieved with the AM2 model compared to the group-averaged AM0 model. This framework demonstrates robustness by accurately modeling distinct motion and vision conditions. A Gaussian mixture model of the parameter distribution across a population is developed, which predicts motion sickness in an unseen dataset with an average RMSE of 0.47. This model reduces the need for large-scale population experiments, accelerating research and development.

Introduction: Children living with perinatally acquired HIV (CPHIV) demonstrate hearing impairments and language processing delays even in the presence of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Investigations on the effect of HIV on the auditory system have predominantly focused on the peripheral auditory system. Additionally, language processing requires the efficient interaction between central auditory system (CAS) brain regions and non-auditory regions. Investigating the functional connectivity (FC) within the CAS and between the CAS and non-auditory regions may reveal the influence of HIV on regions involved in auditory function.

Methods: Within a Bayesian statistical framework, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to map FC in the CAS as well as between CAS regions and non-auditory regions of 11-year-old CPHIV. Graph theory was used to investigate the regional effects of HIV on brain network properties. We explored the relationships between FC and neurocognitive outcomes. We hypothesized that CPHIV would show disruptions in FC between CAS regions as well as between CAS and non-auditory regions. Secondly, we hypothesized that in CPHIV, regional brain network properties would be altered compared to their uninfected peers (CHUU). Finally we hypothesized that FC and functional network regional outcomes would be related to neurocognitive outcomes.

Results: Our investigation revealed lower FC of the primary auditory cortex (PAC) in CPHIV as well as disruptions in FC between CAS regions and non-auditory regions including hippocampal sub-regions, the lingual gyri and basal ganglia. Functional network analysis revealed lower nodal degree and efficiency in CAS regions including the cochlear nucleus/superior olivary complex and the inferior colliculus. We also report associations between the nodal efficiency of middle temporal and superior frontal regions and delayed recall, a neurocognitive marker of working memory, present in CHUU but not in CPHIV.

Discussion: Our results demonstrate FC alterations in the PAC and between CAS regions and non-auditory regions involved in limbic, visual and motor processing, as well as disruptions to the regional properties of the CAS regions in the functional brain network. These results provide insight into the state of the CAS FC in the presence of HIV and its possible role in the hearing and language impairments seen in this population.

Objective: To review and organize the research results on the mechanism of action of acupuncture in the treatment of subjective tinnitus over the past 30 years. This will provide a reference basis for the clinical acupuncture treatment of subjective tinnitus.

Methods: Computer searches of PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and China Science and Technology Journal Database (CCD) were conducted to collect and organize literature on the research on the mechanism of action of acupuncture in the treatment of subjective tinnitus. The searches were limited to the period from January 1, 1995 to July 31, 2024. The literature was then summarized and analyzed in terms of the blood circulation of the inner ear, immuno-inflammation, and neural cells to elaborate on the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture. The objective of this study was to describe the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture. The final results yielded 36 research papers related to subjective tinnitus and the mechanism of action of acupuncture. The identified mechanisms are as follows: the enhancement of local microcirculation in the inner ear by regulating the blood supply of the vertebrobasilar artery may improve the inner ear's blood supply obstacle. Additionally, the reduction of immuno-inflammatory factors in the inner ear may reduce the toxicity of the cochlea's hair cells and protect them. The modulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in the cochlear nucleus may serve to protect spiral ganglion neurons from damage. Additionally, the modulation of the thalamus and the functional reorganization of the auditory cortex and synaptic network may contribute to the achievement of therapeutic effects.

Conclusion: While acupuncture has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of subjective tinnitus, the underlying mechanism of action remains poorly understood. In the future, there is a need to accelerate the application of modern advanced technology and multidisciplinary cross-fertilization, as well as to conduct in-depth and systematic investigations into the mechanisms of acupuncture effects. This will provide an objective basis for clinical treatment.

Introduction: High-altitude environments challenge cognitive function due to hypoxia, yet their specific effects on cerebral lobe functions remain unclear. This study examines the impact of high-altitude exposure on frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes in climbers in the Nepali Himalayas, aiming to enhance understanding of altitude-related cognitive decline.

Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted with 76 participants, including 46 non-selected individuals (NOSCL) and 30 selected climbers divided into Everest (EMCL, n = 12), Kanchanjanga (KMCL, n = 9), and Manaslu (MMCL, n = 9) groups. Cognitive function tests (CFT) assessed cerebral lobe function at altitudes ranging from 800 to 5,500 meters using a non-invasive neuropsychological battery.

Results: Significant altitude-related declines were observed in frontal lobe function, particularly in the Visual Stroop test at 800 meters (75%, p < 0.001) and 2,700 meters (86.1%, p < 0.001). Attention scores also decreased at 800 meters (94.4%, p = 0.002). No significant changes were found in parietal, temporal, or occipital lobe functions. The Manaslu climb presented greater cognitive challenges than Everest or Kanchanjanga, with reduced attention and social cognition scores at 4,800 meters (p = 0.145).

Discussion: The findings indicate that frontal lobe functions are particularly vulnerable to hypoxia at high altitudes. The results support the necessity of region-specific cognitive testing for high-altitude risk assessments. Further research should explore long-term cognitive effects and mitigation strategies for climbers exposed to extreme altitude conditions.

Introduction: In neurodegenerative brain diseases like Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), clinical studies underscore the crucial role of head motion deficits. Similarly, advanced stage Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) is known to display significantly altered posture control and balance patterns involving the head segment.

Methods: This study investigates the relative differences in head control during a perturbed upright stance paradigm between patients affected by PSP and IPD, compared to healthy control subjects using dynamic system modeling. The resulting neural model underlines how PSP primarily affects head control, whereas IPD primarily affects the control of the whole body's center of mass. A neck control model, based on the hypothesis of modular posture control, is proposed to emulate the PSP data in particular.

Results: A larger passive stiffness was observed for both groups of patients, with eyes closed, suggesting that the head moves together with the trunk. With eyes open, the active proportional gain KP is relatively larger in all cases, indicating that the head is directed closer to the vertical by the visual contribution. Since this was held for all investigated groups, findings support the notion of intact visual contribution to posture control among PSP and IPD despite the impaired supranuclear eye guidance among PSP.

Discussion: The proposed neural model's characteristics will aid in future patient data analysis, disease progression monitoring, and possible modulation of disease-specific features through therapeutic intervention. For engineering and robotics implementations, uses for strengthened resilience of head stabilization are discussed.