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Importance of quantum decoherence in brain processes.

M Tegmark1

  • 1Institute for Advanced Study, Olden Lane, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA. max@physics.upenn.edu

Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
|November 23, 2000
PubMed
Summary

The human brain

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Quantum Physics
  • Computational Neuroscience

Background:

  • Debate exists on whether brain processes, particularly consciousness, involve quantum mechanics.
  • Some theories propose the brain functions as a quantum computer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of quantum coherence in cognitive processes.
  • To determine if the brain should be modeled as a classical or quantum system.

Main Methods:

  • Calculation of neural decoherence rates.
  • Comparison of decoherence time scales with relevant dynamical time scales in neurons and microtubules.

Main Results:

  • Decoherence time scales (10^-13–10^-20 s) are significantly shorter than neural dynamical time scales (10^-3–10^-1 s).
  • This applies to both regular neuron firing and microtubule excitations.

Conclusions:

  • The human brain's cognitive degrees of freedom are best described as a classical system.
  • Current classical approaches to neural network simulations are fundamentally sound.
  • Quantum coherence is unlikely to be fundamentally related to consciousness.

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