Abstract
Interiors of neurons are occupied and organized by dynamic networks of protein polymers termed the cytoskeleton. These biomolecular networks [microtubules (MT), actin, intermediate filaments, centrioles, etc.] are coupled to membrane events and regulate cellular activities including synaptic plasticity. Models of purposeful behavior in the cytoskeleton include MT automata, in which cooperative coupling among MT subunit dipole/conformational states gives rise to computational patterns. Presently we are modelling MT automata interconnected by MAPs. These cytoskeletal networks are capable of adaptive learning, association and retrograde signaling. MT automata may provide a sub-neural dimension in the brain’s hierarchical organization. Artificial neural nets may more closely approximate the brain by including “sub-neural” processing.
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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Hameroff, S., Karampurwala, H., Rasmussen, S. (1991). Adaptive Behavior in Sub-Neural Microtubule Automata. In: Lazarev, P.I. (eds) Molecular Electronics. Topics in Molecular Organization and Engineering, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3392-0_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3392-0_20
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