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Self-organization: the basic principle of neural functions
11st Department of Anatomy, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary.
Theoretical Medicine
|June 1, 1993
Summary
New paradigms like autopoiesis offer a better understanding of neural functions than traditional reflex principles. Biological experiments are key to uncovering global and cognitive functions, moving beyond speculation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- The classical reflex principle is insufficient for understanding complex neural functions.
- Emerging concepts like autopoiesis and self-organization offer new frameworks for neural activity.
- Neural activity initiates early in development, preceding functional sensory input.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of biological experiments in understanding global and cognitive functions.
- To propose autopoiesis and self-organization as fundamental paradigms for neural function.
- To generalize the concept of elementary autopoietic activity in neural centers.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing neurophysiological observations and theoretical frameworks.
- Studying initial autopoietic activity in nervous tissue cultures.
- Conducting embryonic tissue recombination experiments.
Main Results:
- Neural activity is intrinsic and precedes external stimulation.
- Autopoiesis and self-organization provide a more suitable paradigm for neural function.
- The elementary concept of autopoiesis can be generalized across different neural centers.
Conclusions:
- Genuine biological experiments will advance neural understanding more than speculation.
- Autopoiesis and self-organization are essential for comprehending neural essence.
- The study generalizes autopoietic activity from early development to the spinal cord and cerebral cortex.