Statistical mechanics of neocortical interactions: Large-scale EEG influences on molecular processes

• Published in: Journal of theoretical biology Vol. 395; pp. 144 - 152
• Main Author: Ingber, Lester
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 21.04.2016
• Subjects: Astrocytes; Brain Waves - physiology; Humans; Models, Neurological; Neocortex - physiology; Neocortical dynamics; Short-term memory; Vector potential; Vector potential; Astrocytes; Short-term memory; Neocortical dynamics
• ISSN: 0022-5193; 1095-8541; 1095-8541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.02.003

Calculations further support the premise that large-scale synchronous firings of neurons may affect molecular processes. The context is scalp electroencephalography (EEG) during short-term memory (STM) tasks. The mechanism considered is Π=p+qA (SI units) coupling, where p is the momenta of free Ca2+ waves, q the charge of Ca2+ in units of the electron charge, and A the magnetic vector potential of current I from neuronal minicolumnar firings considered as wires, giving rise to EEG. Data has processed using multiple graphs to identify sections of data to which spline-Laplacian transformations are applied, to fit the statistical mechanics of neocortical interactions (SMNI) model to EEG data, sensitive to synaptic interactions subject to modification by Ca2+ waves. •Ca2+ waves and regional vector potentials interact via canonical momenta (p+qA).•Canonical momenta (p+qA) influences are calculated at classical and quantum scales.•New EEG data is fit to columnar-averaged models, overcoming previous data with severe outliers.•Reviews of multiple steps of theory required to logically develop model of EEG data across multiple scales.•Reviews of extended quantum coherence influence importance of quantum (p+qA).