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Understanding Neuronal Time, Periodicity, and Cognitive Processes in Brain Function

This article explores the complex dynamics of neurons in large brains, emphasizing their time-smartness, communication, and the division of labor. It discusses cognitive processes through the lens of historical philosophers like Aristotle, Descartes, and Hume, linking them to contemporary theories. Key elements include attention, memory, perception, and reasoning, grounded in the understanding that concepts can only be validated through mechanism study. The text further examines the nature of brain waves and the emergent properties of non-linear brain functions.

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Understanding Neuronal Time, Periodicity, and Cognitive Processes in Brain Function

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  1. Time and Periodicity • Phase • Amplitude • Period • Frequency • Time

  2. Smartness of neurons in big brains • Each neuron is ‘less smart’, contributes less to whole • Less communication with rest of brain • Overall load can be increased, with division of labor

  3. Top-Down • [P.21] Common terms for cognitive processes? • Aristotle->Descartes, Locke, Hume-> • (!) as hypothetical, works in progress • William James’ list of mind still comprises modern ontology of cognition/behaviour: • Attention, conception, association, memory, perception, reasoning, instinct, emotions, • [p.22] “concepts can be verified or rejected only by studying mechanisms”

  4. Top-Down • [P.21] Common terms for cognitive processes? • Aristotle->Descartes, Locke, Hume-> • (!) as hypothetical contructs, works in progress • William James’ list of mind still comprises modern ontology of cognition/behaviour: • Attention, conception, association, memory, perception, reasoning, instinct, emotions, • [p.22] “concepts can be verified or rejected only by studying mechanisms”

  5. Top-Down • Turing; artificial intelligence • What our cognitive science has found out about the mind is mostly that we don’t know how it works. (Fodor)

  6. Bottom-up • [p.24]To understand brain function • 1. Dynamic structural organization • 2. Physiology of its parts • 3. Mode of operation (Nature of sum of parts) or • Structure defines function (reverse engineering)

  7. Bottom-up • [p.24] Brain waves are a collective-order parameter • But if brain is non-linear (complex), will parts yield understanding of whole? Emergent properties?

  8. Outside-in • [p.26] Sensory stimuli evoke responses in single neurons…BUT problems include… - - Inside-out • Never mind grand purpose or what is ‘out there’, just see what groups of neurons do, and determine causal agents.

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